Kathleen J. DeBoer delivered the keynote address at Lock Haven University's 2011 Women's Athletics Dinner.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Lock Haven University’s annual women’s athletics dinner celebrates the achievements of the past year and the successes of women athletes at The Haven. The 2011 ceremony, held on May 3 in the Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center, brought together coaches and team members from women’s basketball, cross-country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, track and field, volleyball and wrestling.

Athletics Director Sharon E. Taylor and President Barbara B. Dixon welcomed the guests and gave brief remarks. President Dixon noted that Lock Haven began providing athletics opportunities for women since it began field hockey in 1945.

Keynote speaker for the event was Kathleen J. DeBoer, Executive Director of the American Volleyball Coaches Association and author of the book “Gender and Competition: How men and Women Approach Work and Play Differently.”

In her talk, DeBoer expanded on the theme of Dr. Seuss’s book “Oh, The Places You’ll Go.”
Using examples from her 25-year career as a university coach, administrator and fundraiser,
DeBoer showed that life is never predictable and that we must be prepared to make the most of unexpected opportunities.

With wit, humor and passion, DeBoer also explained the differences between traditional male and female styles of leadership. Not just in athletics but in all fields, she explained, the model of leadership has undergone a paradigm shift. Technology and globalization have created a new way of leading that stresses cooperation and collaboration, a style that comes more naturally to woman than to men. DeBoer urged the student athletes to apply this leadership style not just to their sports but to all aspects of their lives and careers.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards.

The Scholar Athlete Awards recognize the student athletes with the highest GPAs. The junior Scholar Athlete Award was presented to soccer player Amy Wittman of Delmont, Pa. She has a 3.777 GPA. The senior Scholar Athlete Award was presented to field hockey player Talitha Jay of Myerstown, Pa. She has a 3.990 GPA.

Lacrosse Coach Kristen Selvage presented a Coach’s Award to Katie Zichelli of South Orange, N.J. Coach Selvage praised Zichelli’s commitment and determination to the Lock Haven University lacrosse program. Zichelli has earned numerous honors from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), the National Collegiate Athletics Conference (NCAA) and the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA). Zichelli is a 3-time First Team All American, a 3-time All-Region, and 3-time PSAC Fist Team. She is on track to garner each of these awards for a fourth time. In addition, Zichelli is a 2009 and 2010 NCAA Statistical Champion in both ground balls and caused turnovers. She is also a two-time IWLCA Division 2 Defender of the Year. The winner of numerous womenslacrosse.com Player of the Week awards, including defender of the year, Zichelli is also a campus leader. She is a member of the Lock Haven University business fraternity and has been a captain in her junior and senior year.

Swimming Coach Andrew Waeger presented a Coach’s Award to Amanda Terray of Coaldale, Pa. Coach Waeger cited Terray’s numerous achievements and honors from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and the National Collegiate Athletics Conference (NCAA). Terray is a 3-time All American, 6-time Honorable Mention All American, 3-time PSAC Champion and 4-time PSAC Runner Up. Terray is a 4-time NCAA National Championship Qualifier. In 2008, she earned a bronze medal in the 200 meter backstroke, and in 2010 had another bronze medal finish as a member of the 200 meter medley relay. In 2007-2008, she was named PSAC Rookie of the Year. Terray holds 3 individual school records, is a member of all 5 relay school records, and is the Lock Haven University pool record holder in 4 events, including relays.

The 2011 Charlotte Smith Outstanding Senior Woman Athlete Award was presented to field hockey player Amy Hordendorf of Topton, Pa. This award recognizes outstanding athletics achievement, academic achievement, and outstanding leadership. A four-year starter, Hordendorf is third on the All-Time Lock Haven University scoring list, was 2010 team captain, and earned 76 career goals. Field Hockey Coach Pat Rudy praised Hordendorf’s accomplishments on and off the field: “She was an impact player for Lock Haven from Day One based on her ability to score. Not only was she great on the athletic field, but she excelled in the classroom in a demanding academic major (Physician Assistant)”

Coach Rudy recapped Hordendorf’s numerous achievements and honors from the Northeast Conference (NEC), the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) and the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA). In 2007, Hordendorf she was named NEC Rookie of the year, NEC All Tournament, NEC First Team All Conference and was 3-time NEC Rookie of the Week. In 2008, Hordendorf led the NEC in scoring and was NEC First Team All Conference, NEC All Tournament Team and NFHCA Mid-Atlantic 2nd Team All region. In 2009, she was NEC First Team All Conference, NEC Offensive Player of the Year, NEC leading scorer, NFHCA Mid Atlantic Second Team All Region, and 3-time NEC Player of the Week. She also made the Women’sfieldhockey.com Jack and Jill Division 1 Player of the Week Honor Roll. In 2010 Hordendorf was A-10 First Team All Conference, made the A-10 tournament team, was second leading scorer of the A-10, was named NFHCA Mid Atlantic First Team All region, and was named to the NFHCA Division 1 Senior All Star Game.

Academically, Hordendorf was named to the NEC three times, was the 2009 NEC Scholar Athlete, was named to the NFHCA National Academic squad four times, and in 20110 was named to the A-10 Field Hockey Academic Team.