Lehigh University Athletics
Dallmeyer announces addition of Chookagian as volunteer assistant coach
8/12/2019 2:30:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM Pa. – Lehigh head field hockey coach Caitlin Dallmeyer announced on Monday the addition of Lehigh Valley native Christopher Chookagian as volunteer assistant coach. A native of Quakertown, Chookagian has put together an impressive coaching career at a young age. Chookagian joins Dallmeyer, along with associate head coach Taylor Dyer and assistant Rachel Konowal, to make up the Mountain Hawks' coaching staff.
"Growing up in Quakertown, Lehigh was basically in my backyard," said Chookagian. "When I started playing hockey, my friends and I would always come to the home games being so close. Ever since I started coaching middle school, and while working my way up to the U19s, I knew I wanted to eventually compete and coach at the highest level. Sport truly can change the life of an individual, and hockey has done that for me in so many ways. The Lehigh coaching staff has brought a new energy to the program that mirrors my passion for the game, on and off the field. I am honored to have been chosen to join the Mountain Hawk family, and ecstatic to step on the pitch and work with this team."
Chookagian began his coaching career as volunteer coach for Milford Middle School in 2016, also joining the Souderton Strikers Club Team (Hatfield, Pa.) as assistant that same year. From there, he progressed to assisting teams from the Under-10 age group through Under-19 for indoor and outdoor field hockey. Chookagian volunteered in 2017 and 2018 for the Learn to Play and Goalkeeper Showcase sessions at the National Hockey Festival, presented by CranBarry. He received his USAFH Level 1 (2017) and Level 2 (2018) Coaching Certification following each festival weekend.
Chookagian was also selected as one of eight coaches for the 2019 AAU Junior Olympics, having the opportunity to work with the top Under-16 athletes in the country.
As a player, Chookagian began playing field hockey his junior year at Quakertown (fall, 2013 season). In 2014, the PIAA banned all boys from playing varsity field hockey, but he found his way to the USA Men's East Coast High Performance Team (Under-21 Team). He competed for the ECHP for Indoor and Outdoor matches, under now USA Men's National Team head coach Rutger Wiese. Chookagian won a Gold Medal in the U19 age group at the 2015 California Cup, hosted at Moorpark College in California.
Chookagian graduated from Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) in May 2019 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and minor in Sport and Recreation Management. He is currently pursuing his MBA in Management online through Nova Southeastern.
The Mountain Hawks report for preseason this week with an eye on their season opener set for Friday, Aug. 30 at Rider. Lehigh returns home the following Friday for its home opener, hosting Towson on Friday, Sept. 6.
Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
"Growing up in Quakertown, Lehigh was basically in my backyard," said Chookagian. "When I started playing hockey, my friends and I would always come to the home games being so close. Ever since I started coaching middle school, and while working my way up to the U19s, I knew I wanted to eventually compete and coach at the highest level. Sport truly can change the life of an individual, and hockey has done that for me in so many ways. The Lehigh coaching staff has brought a new energy to the program that mirrors my passion for the game, on and off the field. I am honored to have been chosen to join the Mountain Hawk family, and ecstatic to step on the pitch and work with this team."
Chookagian began his coaching career as volunteer coach for Milford Middle School in 2016, also joining the Souderton Strikers Club Team (Hatfield, Pa.) as assistant that same year. From there, he progressed to assisting teams from the Under-10 age group through Under-19 for indoor and outdoor field hockey. Chookagian volunteered in 2017 and 2018 for the Learn to Play and Goalkeeper Showcase sessions at the National Hockey Festival, presented by CranBarry. He received his USAFH Level 1 (2017) and Level 2 (2018) Coaching Certification following each festival weekend.
Chookagian was also selected as one of eight coaches for the 2019 AAU Junior Olympics, having the opportunity to work with the top Under-16 athletes in the country.
As a player, Chookagian began playing field hockey his junior year at Quakertown (fall, 2013 season). In 2014, the PIAA banned all boys from playing varsity field hockey, but he found his way to the USA Men's East Coast High Performance Team (Under-21 Team). He competed for the ECHP for Indoor and Outdoor matches, under now USA Men's National Team head coach Rutger Wiese. Chookagian won a Gold Medal in the U19 age group at the 2015 California Cup, hosted at Moorpark College in California.
Chookagian graduated from Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) in May 2019 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and minor in Sport and Recreation Management. He is currently pursuing his MBA in Management online through Nova Southeastern.
The Mountain Hawks report for preseason this week with an eye on their season opener set for Friday, Aug. 30 at Rider. Lehigh returns home the following Friday for its home opener, hosting Towson on Friday, Sept. 6.
Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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