Lehigh University Athletics
Long Lasting Lehigh Legacies
10/21/2010 7:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
Homecoming is an opportunity for graduates to return to their roots, come back to the place they spent some of the most memorable years of their lives. Between tailgates, gatherings and the annual homecoming football game, Lehigh pride comes to the forefront during this weekend.
For numerous members of the Lehigh field hockey team, they were fortunate enough to experience what it means to be a Mountain Hawk, even before they stepped foot on campus as a freshman. Many have a relative or relatives who attended Lehigh, which helped shape their college search and subsequent college experience.
This Saturday is not only the football homecoming game, but also a crucial field hockey showdown against arch rival Lafayette at Ulrich Field. Prior to the contest, the second annual Lehigh-Lafayette alumni game will feature alums from both schools hitting the field at 9 a.m.
“We had a great turnout last year,” said Lehigh head coach Julie Mazer. “It's something that renews the rivalry and brings a lot of alumni back. It's really nice to have all the alumni there for our game which follows at 11:00. We're looking forward to a great day.”
Regardless what plays out on Saturday, it will be a day for alums to get together and share the devotion and pride they have for their university.
“I think it speaks about the academic and social experience that many students take with them after graduating from Lehigh,” said senior Cassie Willard, when asked why so many teammates have relatives with Lehigh ties. “They value their time spent so much that they want others to partake in the same experience.”
Willard's father Glenn ('77) not only attended Lehigh in the mid-1970s, but also wrestled and played football before sustaining injuries which forced him to move into coaching. Cassie realizes the significance of her father's ties.
“There is no better person to go to if you want to hear a good story about his football games and wrestling matches,” said Cassie. “Having this historical perspective has helped me appreciate what it means to be a Lehigh student-athlete.”
Growing up in nearby Newtown, Pa., Cassie's college search brought her to a range of schools, but it was her father's alma mater that quickly came to the forefront.
“I looked at a variety of schools - everywhere from Penn State to Virginia Tech, Delaware to Richmond - because I wasn't sure what kind of collegiate atmosphere I wanted,” she said. “Lehigh was always in the back of my mind because my dad went here and he really valued the four years he spent in the classroom, wrestling room and football field.
“It wasn't until my senior year that I made some contacts in the athletic department about the possibility of playing a sport here,” she continued. “I came up for an official visit at the end of October of my senior year, and the rest is history. I knew that the team and Lehigh Athletics was something I wanted to take part in.”
In the end, her father took a hands-off approach during the college search and let her decide for herself where she wanted to spend her next four years.
“My dad was always really laid back about my college decision,” said Cassie. “He never applied any pressure. I was drawn to Lehigh because of its rich sense of tradition. I grew up hearing great stories about close matches, unforgettable catches and incredible friends that he made along the way, which certainly drew me closer to the university.”
Sophomore Carly Smith, whose two sisters - Christy ('08) and Lindsey ('10) - not only attended Lehigh, but also played field hockey under Coach Mazer, spent her high school years hearing all about the great things Lehigh has to offer.
“After visiting for six years, I began falling in love with the school,” said Carly. “Both Christy and Lindsey truly loved the team, as well as the academic aspect. Christy never had one negative comment about Lehigh, and after Lindsey joined her, they were both so excited to be here.
“After hearing how much they each loved the school, it made me realize how terrific Lehigh is,” she continued. “Lehigh was not my only option; I was deciding among several schools, but come the fall of my senior year, I knew this is where I wanted to be. I can now say I am like my sisters in that I love all aspects of Lehigh, and am entirely happy to be here.”
In addition to Willard and Smith, freshman Erinn Bonshak's cousin attended Lehigh while junior Caitlin Donnelly's mother came for graduate school. Sophomore Millie Kuhns' sister Julie ('10) also played field hockey at Lehigh and the two even played together last year when Millie was a freshman and Julie was a senior.
The pure number of Lehigh connections shows the impact Lehigh has on people's lives. Students enter their first year of college not knowing what to expect and finish their career with a connection to the university that goes beyond words.
“We have an incredible alumni base that is supportive and takes pride in the strong tradition that's been passed down through the years,” said Willard.
“The alumni base is committed to the success of recent Lehigh graduates,” said Smith. “I find it really neat to hear that both of my sisters' employers hire many Lehigh graduates. One of my favorite memories is when I was walking down the streets of West Chester with a Lehigh shirt on. A gentleman stopped to talk to me and asked me questions about Lehigh today because he graduated from Lehigh many years ago.”
For Willard, Smith and the rest of their teammates, they stand at differing points of their careers and lives. Cassie is a senior journalism major whose postgraduate career is right around the corner, while Carly is a sophomore math major with more than two years remaining.
Though in different points of their collegiate careers, the teammates can agree on one thing. Choosing Lehigh was one of the best decisions they've ever made.
“While at Lehigh, I have formed an incredible support base from many different people,” said Willard. “I have established lasting friendships with teammates, strong relationships with staff and faculty, and an incredible bond with other athletes and classmates that I have met along the way. I am truly thankful for the environment at Lehigh that helped make this possible.
Come Saturday, Willard and Smith will take on their roles as student-athletes, but even after they graduate, they'll keep that strong bond to Lehigh just like their relatives before them. One day, they may come full circle and watch a son, daughter, niece or nephew attend Lehigh.
“It's remarkable the number of teammates who have relatives who attended Lehigh,” said Smith. “It shows how Lehigh has such a positive effect on people over an extended period of time. Great schools just keep getting better, which creates family legacies.”
LOOKING AHEAD TO LAFAYETTE
The Mountain Hawks host Lafayette on Saturday at 11 a.m. in their second-to-last game of the regular season. Still in the Patriot League postseason chase, Lehigh needs to win its final two games along with two Colgate losses, to advance to the league tournament for the second straight season.
Lehigh looks to continue its perfect season against Lafayette thus far. So far, cross country, men's soccer and women's volleyball have all beaten the Leopards while field hockey, women's soccer and football all play Lafayette in the coming weeks.
The Mountain Hawks are coming off a nail-biting 2-1 loss at Bucknell in a back-and-forth contest last Saturday. After the Bison took a 1-0 lead, sophomore Kimberly Eng evened the score late in the first half, but Bucknell scored the go-ahead goal at 52:19 which proved to be the game-winner.
Lafayette enters the weekend with a 6-8 record, 3-0 in the Patriot League, having a clinched a berth into the postseason. The Leopards are coming off a dominating 8-0 win over Holy Cross last Saturday before falling to No. 16 Drexel, 3-2, on Tuesday. Deanna DiCroce leads the way with 26 points (seven goals, 12 assists) while Meghan Cicchi has 21 (nine goals, three assists) and Cara Lyons has 16 (seven goals, two assists). Kelsey Andersen continues to impress in goal, posting a 2.25 GAA and .679 save percentage.
The Leopards lead the all-time series, 31-12-3 with Lehigh's last win coming in 2005. Despite losing five straight, four of those games were by two goals or less, including two straight one-goal losses from 2006-07 and two-goal losses in the 2007 postseason and '08 regular season.
Fans who can't make it to Ulrich Field can watch the game live on Lehighsports.com. Live stats will also be available.
Feature Story by Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Media Relations
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