By: Bella Egress and Izzie Hathorn

As the years go by, Conard Field Hockey has become a more competitive and well-rounded program. The program is very lucky to have coaches who challenge the players and help them improve while also supporting them. The three coaches of the program include Coach D'Addario (the thirds coach), Coach Verrengia (the JV coach), and Coach Witmer (the varsity coach). Coach D’Addario and Coach Verrengia are also teachers here at Conard, and Coach Verrengia helps out with varsity as well. 

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When asked what his favorite part of the program was, Coach Verrengia, who is commonly referred to as Coach V, said, “The character of the kids we have. Coaches know they are lucky to have the kids we have!” Coach V, who has been part of the program roughly since 1999, has described many times how the main reason he continues to coach is because of the players. In addition to impressive skill levels, this program also continues to form genuine bonds between players and also between coaches and players. Coach V is a perfect example of this. He always makes sure to say hi and smile to players in the hallway when he sees them and ask them how their day is going. The program and the players are exceptionally lucky to have coaches who genuinely care about them and also help them become better. When asked how he feels about the team and how they are doing so far this season, Coach V said, “The team is having a very successful season. We continue to see improvement individually and team-wise. Hoping to finish as strong as we started.” In addition to an incredible season so far for all three teams, with minimal losses, this season especially has allowed for players to grow. As the regular season comes to a close, we strive to keep winning and playing our best, as well as to enjoy it and learn from it.

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As Conard Field Hockey continues to progress as a program, establishing the kind of environment Conard Field Hockey fosters will be beneficial to better understand the aspects of our program. Coach Witmer, the previously established varsity coach, has been coaching at Conard for four years. Through her experiences as a player and coach, one important aspect that she has noticed about the atmosphere of the field hockey girls is that everyone on the team supports each other. She mentions how the program “celebrate[s] each other's accomplishments and works hard to continue to grow both as individuals and as a cohesive unit."  This supportive environment fosters a sense of belonging, resilience, and mutual respect, which helps drive the success and development of the team as a whole. What makes this program so special is the unwavering sense of unity and encouragement that defines it. The players genuinely uplift one another, creating an environment where personal achievements are celebrated as team victories. This culture of support, combined with a shared commitment to hard work and growth, sets the program apart. While having a strong culture is important, another important aspect Conard Field Hockey has to offer, according to Coach Witmer, is how hardworking the players are on and off the field. She emphasizes that “our results [are] an indication of how hard everyone has worked both in the off-season to come in prepared but also since day one of the preseason." She additionally reveals through an interview about the excitement of the future. This is clear as she explains, “We are playing pretty good hockey right now, and I’m excited to see how we finish out the season!” Ultimately, in combining a strong sense of unity with relentless hard work, Conard Field Hockey not only builds a successful program but also nurtures a team culture that promises continued growth and achievement for years to come.

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Based on all of this, we strongly recommend that any incoming freshmen or anyone considering playing join the program next year, so they can be involved with this supportive and nurturing community.