When Blue Lions Field Hockey Club Executive Director Rachel Smith was asked what the most important aspects of her quickly growing club were, she did not hesitate.
“A huge piece of why we did this in the first place was to grow the game of field hockey and to grow the game in an environment that the girls could thrive in. We wanted to have a place where anyone can walk in the door and participate,” Rachel said. “It’s about maintaining a positive culture for teenage girls, actually any girls, because we have players all the way from 5 years old through high school. We think that creating an inclusive environment to grow the game that we love is something that is most important.”
The Blue Lions Club is led by three directors. Rachel Smith is the executive director and a level 2 USA field hockey coach. Her husband, Evan Smith, is the operations director and he is a PIAA and USA field hockey certified umpire and the president of the District 6 field hockey chapter. Leah Fogelsanger, a Bucknell graduate, is the technical director. As a player at Bucknell, Fogelsanger was a two-time All-Patriot League selection, two-time offensive player of the week, four-time academic honor roll and a member of the Division 1 National Academic Squad.
The Blue Lions Field Hockey Club is the local club, operating out of the Nittany Valley Sports Centre. The club has players primarily from Centre, Mifflin and Juniata counties, but there are players who travel from as far east as Bloomsburg to take part in the programs. Players range from 5 years old all the way through those signed to play in college next year.
The Smiths and Fogelsanger took over the club in 2022 from the original organizers, Stuart Smith and Sean Meily, and have since been steadily building the club’s programs and numbers.
The new Blue Lions’ first full season was in 2022. The club also started a Cubs Program for youth brand new to the sport and participated in the National Indoor Tournament. The Indoor Roar Tournament was restored and the club hosted a 96-team USAFH NIT Qualifier. Teams from Blue Lions also medaled at the USA Sunshine Showcase in Orlando, Florida, and the Shooting Star Jamboree in Frederica, Delaware.
According to the club’s mission statement, the Blue Lions strive to spread the love of field hockey and allow each player to develop according to her ability. The club designs programs that are intended to enhance the enjoyment and appreciation of the game and promote teamwork, sportsmanship and good citizenship.
The club also offers winter field hockey that includes a Developmental Program (U-8-12), a Competitive Program (U-12-14-16-19) and a Showcase Program (U-12-14-16-19).
The Spring Outdoor Program for U-12-14-16-19 has players compete in tournaments throughout the spring at colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region, and a Showcase Program selects players to compete in national events and assists players in pursuing college playing opportunities.
“Our system is very similar to how other sports like volleyball and soccer have transitioned to club play outside of scholastic seasons,” Rachel said. “Club play is where players can get recruited for college and there are many different club options. We are based out of the Centre, which is a tremendous facility, and we have built a home there. We host local tournaments there and we also host a national tournament.”
Since the new directors took over the club, membership has tripled. Now, the club has 90 participants split between four high school teams, two middle school teams and two elementary school teams.
The indoor court the club plays on makes it possible for them to play year-round. In the current season, the club is focused on recruiting by attending tournaments that college coaches attend to evaluate players, and on turf play. Every January, the club also takes a group of players to Florida for recruiting opportunities.
“The reason we took over the club was because the founders wanted to retire, and we got involved to see that these players didn’t go without a club or without being recruited.”
Fogelsanger presently has 10 coaches working in the various programs, including: Abby Biddle, who played for State College HS and Millersville; Katie Deeter, who played for State College and St. Francis; Brie Baracco, Parkland High School player and former Penn State goalie; Jojo Lee, who played for State College and New Haven; Molly Schreiner, who played for State College and is currently at James Madison; and Libby Fortin, who played for State College and Hartwick College.
There are 10 former Blue Lions on current college rosters: Jojo Lee (New Haven), Rebecca Bonness (American), Bayla Furmanek (Babson), Coletta Beeler (Central Michigan), Cortney Keim (Wilkes), Hailee Sheetz (Lock Haven), Monica Druckenmiller (Stevenson), Olivia Cimino (Albright), Cassie Slusser (Marywood) and Hailey Leisering (Mercyhurst).
There is also a long list of former Blue Lions who played for colleges dating back as far as 2011. Five of those players went to Penn State: Madison Tambroni, Kelsey Love, Alexandra Lauth, Haley Kerstetter and Amanda Dinunzio.
Fortin had high praise for her experiences at the club.
“Blue Lions helped prepare me for college athletics by providing me with strong foundational knowledge and the opportunity to participate in many tournaments and showcases that gave me exposure and helped my college find me. They allowed me to try new skills every practice, which allowed me to broaden my field hockey IQ and confidence.”
According to Rachel, there are many others who would have similar things to say about their experiences.
“First and foremost,” Rachel said, “we provide an inclusive environment for kids to come in and have a structured way for them to get better. We care a lot about the culture of our club and keeping things positive and accountable. It’s hard because there is a fine line in sports between being constructive and still making sure they are having fun at what they are doing. … But the bottom line is that this is a place for everyone. Whatever your goals in the sport, we have a place for you.”
For those interested in joining the Blue Lions, email beabluelion@bluelionsfhc.com or visit bluelionsfhc.com.
