Lehigh University Athletics
An Ideal Role Model
3/31/2021 1:43:00 PM | Field Hockey, Features
By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications
When Taylor Dyer was being recruited to play field hockey in college, her twin sister Tatum committed to American University.
At the time, Taylor had no idea she would find her way to the Patriot League years later, but as a coach.
Today, Dyer is playing an important role as associate head coach for an up-and-coming Lehigh field hockey program.
"Caitlin [Dallmeyer] does a really incredible job of clearly vocalizing the visions and goals for the program," said Dyer. "It's my job to support her in every way possible and echo her in as many ways as I can. Continue to empower and encourage the student-athletes and help them realize we are capable of success. Even if it's something we haven't achieved in the past, that doesn't mean we won't be able to achieve it at some point in the future."
While striving for tangible on-field goals, Dyer is simultaneously helping mold the future of her student-athletes… like so many coaches did for her...
Dyer's Playing Background
From a young age, Dyer had a stick in her hands, but middle school was when she blossomed.
"I had a really great middle school program with a coach, Marge Leahy, whose daughters played in college," said Dyer. "She helped connect me with opportunities to play at the club level and higher levels."
Taylor continued to grow within the sport and when it came time to decide on college, she and her sister were pretty determined to go their separate ways.
"My mom used to joke that if we got offered a two-for-one deal at a college, we would have to go together," said Taylor. "But we both had different strengths and expectations of what we wanted from our college experiences."
Tatum ended up at American, Taylor at Tufts, proving beneficial for both.
"It made us so much closer to share that experience with each other, but not have the competition and not spend every minute of every day together at practice and games," said Dyer. "That definitely helped us get more out of our own field hockey careers."
Taylor focused on immersing herself in everything Tufts University had to offer.
"I valued the academic and well-rounded college experience," she said.
It's an experience very much like her players at Lehigh enjoy today.
Falling In Love With Coaching
Before Dyer got to Lehigh, she took a number of steps along the way. Her coaching career began with a simple conversation.
"Senior year, I remember talking to my head coach about some options for after college," said Dyer. "She asked the favorite part of my experience. I reflected and being part of the field hockey team was my answer."
Luckily, there was an open assistant coaching position at Tufts.
"We had had a great relationship, so she offered me the opportunity to stay," said Dyer. "I thought it would be temporary, but it ended up being a great experience. We won the Division III national championship and I realized I was able to make a positive impact on the program. I was still really close with a lot of players on the team."
Dyer admitted it was interesting to navigate that role as a former teammate turned coach.
"By the end of the season, I felt confident in how I was able to find that balance of being a coach, but still being an approachable presence for the team," she said.
That approachability would remain an important characteristic of Dyer, and serve as one of her strongest attributes as a coach moving forward.
After two years as an assistant at Tufts, Dyer knew she wanted to make a career out of coaching.
"I loved Tufts so much, but my only experience was there," she said. "I wanted to work under a new coach within a new program to be able to learn and grow.
"So I went to Dickinson College and worked under Caitlin. That's where we first met."
Dyer ended up at Dickinson for just a year because her Tufts coach called saying she was pregnant and due in the middle of the season.
Dyer returned to Tufts.
"During that time, Caitlin got the head coaching job at Lehigh, so she gave me a call," said Dyer. "We had a great relationship and maintained a good connection after I departed, so she called.
"I came to Lehigh in 2016 and have been here since."
Dallmeyer + Dyer + Lehigh = A Good Fit
Coaching at the Division I level was something Dyer couldn't pass up.
Ever since day one of their relationship, Dyer has served as a strong complement to Dallmeyer.
"I have felt so fortunate to work alongside Taylor for as many years as I have," said Dallmeyer. "When I took the job at Lehigh, learned of the philosophies of the department and determined my vision for the program, I knew we needed her on staff to help us get there. Her ability to connect with our athletes and help them in all areas of development makes her so valuable to this program. She sees everyone, hears everyone, respects everyone and helps them learn how to lead while remaining authentic to who they are as people."
Dallmeyer came to Lehigh with Division I playing experience at Duke (and Division III head coaching experience at Dickinson). Dyer brought with her a strong Division III background. That emphasis of a complete student-athlete has proven beneficial at a place like Lehigh.
"At Tufts, the first priority was always academics, with athletics being a very close second," said Dyer. "We've mirrored that a lot at Lehigh; our student-athletes feel supportive in their academics and all their other endeavors.
"The biggest difference between Division I and Division III is the overall time we're permitted to dedicate to training," she continued. "We do so much with them, especially in the offseason – running programs, lifting programs, individual skill development and overall development planning. The rules just don't allow for that kind of hands-on work at the Division III level in the offseason."
Dyer is enjoying the increased time spent with her student-athletes. She sees it as a privilege to make a difference in young people's lives.
"We're helping them reach their potential because we can dedicate so much time and have such a big role in their development," said Dyer.
At the foundation of Dyer's relationship with Dallmeyer (and all her student-athletes for that matter) is trust.
"One aspect that's so important in how we work together is the roles Caitlin has established," said Dyer. "She as the head coach is always willing to do the hard stuff. I appreciate that about her so much. She's always right in there for all the tough conversations and the less desirable or more challenging circumstances. She's modeled that well, so I want to take those on."
Dallmeyer empowers Dyer to be herself. Remember how Dyer learned to effectively balance the authority of being a coach, while also being approachable?
It's very much who she continues to be today.
"I try to be really genuine and vulnerable," said Dyer. "Not be afraid to admit when I'm wrong, admit when I don't know something or be vocal when I'm struggling with something. I try not to take myself very seriously and really try to make that clear to the team so I'm creating an environment where they can act the same way around me. They don't have to be guarded, keep any secrets or not be sure how I'll react to something they tell me. I try to model it, so I'm naturally creating that environment for them."
That environment is leading to student-athlete growth and development – which is the ultimate goal of Lehigh Athletics.
"Taylor has made me an overall more self-aware, positive and hardworking person," said sophomore Sophie Leighton. "She is constantly having conversations with me regarding my strengths and weaknesses, which has allowed me to develop in these areas. Whether it's through sharing tips on the field during practice or having a discussion, she's able to clearly identify what I need to do to succeed, and helps me get there. She is always available for individual sessions and film reviews around my schedule, where she devotes her valuable time to focus on my individual growth."
Developing A Culture That Breeds Success
Creating a strong culture has been the top priority from the day Dallmeyer and Dyer arrived to Lehigh.
"We've been working really hard to start at the very foundation," said Dyer. "Caitlin and I both came from programs where there was a pretty well-established culture. At Lehigh, we had to be intentional and thoughtful about creating that culture. It's obviously still a work in progress because culture is never something that just happens; it's something you have to work on."
That work is starting to pay off for the Mountain Hawks, and Dyer is a big reason why.
"We have an amazing squad who's really bought into the program vision," she said. "We've been really clear with our vision and goals throughout the recruiting process. There have been a lot of people who we didn't recruit, but who have fully embraced that vision as well.
"Our team members are the most important pieces of helping us move forward with our vision and accomplish our goals."
Dyer may downplay her importance, but the student-athletes know her impact is strong by just being herself.
"Taylor has shown me what it means to be passionate about what you love," said sophomore Sydney White. "There has never been a day when I see her with a negative mindset or attitude. You can see her love for our team and for coaching and it makes the entire team's experience that much more enjoyable. Taylor is never short of laughs or encouragement and the energy and passion she brings to the team is irreplaceable."
That love for each other, and the game of field hockey, is infectious. As Lehigh field hockey continues to grow, its biggest goal is ultimately to win a Patriot League Championship.
"We have seen some strides towards that in keeping up with some teams better," said Dyer. "We still need to develop that championship mindset, that winning mindset to consistently compete with the top teams."
Wins don't just come on game days. They're the end result of embracing the entire process, whether it's an offseason lift, in-season practice or training on your own.
"The leadership from our upperclassmen all the way down to first-years has been strong," said Dyer. "Despite the adversity [surrounding the pandemic], everyone has remained very committed towards our overall vision.
"I believe we're bringing in the right people."
Dallmeyer undoubtedly brought in the right person in Dyer, who has blossomed over her five years at Lehigh.
"I have definitely become a lot more confident in my abilities and Caitlin is a big part of that," said Dyer. "When I came in, I had a lot of the skills and characteristics I do now, but was not confident in using or vocalizing them. Caitlin has bolstered my confidence on countless occasions and makes me feel really valued and appreciated every day."
The appreciation for Dyer certainly runs deep within the Lehigh field hockey program.
"There is no way to express the gratitude I have for Taylor and her continued commitment to this program," said Dallmeyer. "She has made me a better coach and poured herself into making sure our team has all their needs met in every way.
"Our team has one of the best role models possible in front of them every day, being an ideal example of what it looks like to live your values."
When Taylor Dyer was being recruited to play field hockey in college, her twin sister Tatum committed to American University.
At the time, Taylor had no idea she would find her way to the Patriot League years later, but as a coach.
Today, Dyer is playing an important role as associate head coach for an up-and-coming Lehigh field hockey program.
"Caitlin [Dallmeyer] does a really incredible job of clearly vocalizing the visions and goals for the program," said Dyer. "It's my job to support her in every way possible and echo her in as many ways as I can. Continue to empower and encourage the student-athletes and help them realize we are capable of success. Even if it's something we haven't achieved in the past, that doesn't mean we won't be able to achieve it at some point in the future."
While striving for tangible on-field goals, Dyer is simultaneously helping mold the future of her student-athletes… like so many coaches did for her...
Dyer's Playing Background
From a young age, Dyer had a stick in her hands, but middle school was when she blossomed.
"I had a really great middle school program with a coach, Marge Leahy, whose daughters played in college," said Dyer. "She helped connect me with opportunities to play at the club level and higher levels."
Taylor continued to grow within the sport and when it came time to decide on college, she and her sister were pretty determined to go their separate ways.
"My mom used to joke that if we got offered a two-for-one deal at a college, we would have to go together," said Taylor. "But we both had different strengths and expectations of what we wanted from our college experiences."
Tatum ended up at American, Taylor at Tufts, proving beneficial for both.
"It made us so much closer to share that experience with each other, but not have the competition and not spend every minute of every day together at practice and games," said Dyer. "That definitely helped us get more out of our own field hockey careers."
Taylor focused on immersing herself in everything Tufts University had to offer.
"I valued the academic and well-rounded college experience," she said.
It's an experience very much like her players at Lehigh enjoy today.
Falling In Love With Coaching
Before Dyer got to Lehigh, she took a number of steps along the way. Her coaching career began with a simple conversation.
"Senior year, I remember talking to my head coach about some options for after college," said Dyer. "She asked the favorite part of my experience. I reflected and being part of the field hockey team was my answer."
Luckily, there was an open assistant coaching position at Tufts.
"We had had a great relationship, so she offered me the opportunity to stay," said Dyer. "I thought it would be temporary, but it ended up being a great experience. We won the Division III national championship and I realized I was able to make a positive impact on the program. I was still really close with a lot of players on the team."
Dyer admitted it was interesting to navigate that role as a former teammate turned coach.
"By the end of the season, I felt confident in how I was able to find that balance of being a coach, but still being an approachable presence for the team," she said.
That approachability would remain an important characteristic of Dyer, and serve as one of her strongest attributes as a coach moving forward.
After two years as an assistant at Tufts, Dyer knew she wanted to make a career out of coaching.
"I loved Tufts so much, but my only experience was there," she said. "I wanted to work under a new coach within a new program to be able to learn and grow.
"So I went to Dickinson College and worked under Caitlin. That's where we first met."
Dyer ended up at Dickinson for just a year because her Tufts coach called saying she was pregnant and due in the middle of the season.
Dyer returned to Tufts.
"During that time, Caitlin got the head coaching job at Lehigh, so she gave me a call," said Dyer. "We had a great relationship and maintained a good connection after I departed, so she called.
"I came to Lehigh in 2016 and have been here since."
Dallmeyer + Dyer + Lehigh = A Good Fit
Coaching at the Division I level was something Dyer couldn't pass up.
Ever since day one of their relationship, Dyer has served as a strong complement to Dallmeyer.
"I have felt so fortunate to work alongside Taylor for as many years as I have," said Dallmeyer. "When I took the job at Lehigh, learned of the philosophies of the department and determined my vision for the program, I knew we needed her on staff to help us get there. Her ability to connect with our athletes and help them in all areas of development makes her so valuable to this program. She sees everyone, hears everyone, respects everyone and helps them learn how to lead while remaining authentic to who they are as people."
Dallmeyer came to Lehigh with Division I playing experience at Duke (and Division III head coaching experience at Dickinson). Dyer brought with her a strong Division III background. That emphasis of a complete student-athlete has proven beneficial at a place like Lehigh.
"At Tufts, the first priority was always academics, with athletics being a very close second," said Dyer. "We've mirrored that a lot at Lehigh; our student-athletes feel supportive in their academics and all their other endeavors.
"The biggest difference between Division I and Division III is the overall time we're permitted to dedicate to training," she continued. "We do so much with them, especially in the offseason – running programs, lifting programs, individual skill development and overall development planning. The rules just don't allow for that kind of hands-on work at the Division III level in the offseason."
Dyer is enjoying the increased time spent with her student-athletes. She sees it as a privilege to make a difference in young people's lives.
"We're helping them reach their potential because we can dedicate so much time and have such a big role in their development," said Dyer.
At the foundation of Dyer's relationship with Dallmeyer (and all her student-athletes for that matter) is trust.
"One aspect that's so important in how we work together is the roles Caitlin has established," said Dyer. "She as the head coach is always willing to do the hard stuff. I appreciate that about her so much. She's always right in there for all the tough conversations and the less desirable or more challenging circumstances. She's modeled that well, so I want to take those on."
Dallmeyer empowers Dyer to be herself. Remember how Dyer learned to effectively balance the authority of being a coach, while also being approachable?
It's very much who she continues to be today.
"I try to be really genuine and vulnerable," said Dyer. "Not be afraid to admit when I'm wrong, admit when I don't know something or be vocal when I'm struggling with something. I try not to take myself very seriously and really try to make that clear to the team so I'm creating an environment where they can act the same way around me. They don't have to be guarded, keep any secrets or not be sure how I'll react to something they tell me. I try to model it, so I'm naturally creating that environment for them."
That environment is leading to student-athlete growth and development – which is the ultimate goal of Lehigh Athletics.
"Taylor has made me an overall more self-aware, positive and hardworking person," said sophomore Sophie Leighton. "She is constantly having conversations with me regarding my strengths and weaknesses, which has allowed me to develop in these areas. Whether it's through sharing tips on the field during practice or having a discussion, she's able to clearly identify what I need to do to succeed, and helps me get there. She is always available for individual sessions and film reviews around my schedule, where she devotes her valuable time to focus on my individual growth."
Developing A Culture That Breeds Success
Creating a strong culture has been the top priority from the day Dallmeyer and Dyer arrived to Lehigh.
"We've been working really hard to start at the very foundation," said Dyer. "Caitlin and I both came from programs where there was a pretty well-established culture. At Lehigh, we had to be intentional and thoughtful about creating that culture. It's obviously still a work in progress because culture is never something that just happens; it's something you have to work on."
That work is starting to pay off for the Mountain Hawks, and Dyer is a big reason why.
"We have an amazing squad who's really bought into the program vision," she said. "We've been really clear with our vision and goals throughout the recruiting process. There have been a lot of people who we didn't recruit, but who have fully embraced that vision as well.
"Our team members are the most important pieces of helping us move forward with our vision and accomplish our goals."
Dyer may downplay her importance, but the student-athletes know her impact is strong by just being herself.
"Taylor has shown me what it means to be passionate about what you love," said sophomore Sydney White. "There has never been a day when I see her with a negative mindset or attitude. You can see her love for our team and for coaching and it makes the entire team's experience that much more enjoyable. Taylor is never short of laughs or encouragement and the energy and passion she brings to the team is irreplaceable."
That love for each other, and the game of field hockey, is infectious. As Lehigh field hockey continues to grow, its biggest goal is ultimately to win a Patriot League Championship.
"We have seen some strides towards that in keeping up with some teams better," said Dyer. "We still need to develop that championship mindset, that winning mindset to consistently compete with the top teams."
Wins don't just come on game days. They're the end result of embracing the entire process, whether it's an offseason lift, in-season practice or training on your own.
"The leadership from our upperclassmen all the way down to first-years has been strong," said Dyer. "Despite the adversity [surrounding the pandemic], everyone has remained very committed towards our overall vision.
"I believe we're bringing in the right people."
Dallmeyer undoubtedly brought in the right person in Dyer, who has blossomed over her five years at Lehigh.
"I have definitely become a lot more confident in my abilities and Caitlin is a big part of that," said Dyer. "When I came in, I had a lot of the skills and characteristics I do now, but was not confident in using or vocalizing them. Caitlin has bolstered my confidence on countless occasions and makes me feel really valued and appreciated every day."
The appreciation for Dyer certainly runs deep within the Lehigh field hockey program.
"There is no way to express the gratitude I have for Taylor and her continued commitment to this program," said Dallmeyer. "She has made me a better coach and poured herself into making sure our team has all their needs met in every way.
"Our team has one of the best role models possible in front of them every day, being an ideal example of what it looks like to live your values."
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