PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Colleen Fink has turned the University of Pennsylvania field hockey team into one of the top squads in the Ivy League since taking over the program in 2010.
Under her watch, the Quakers have been a consistent contender in the Ivy League. But she says there is still work to do getting into the NCAA Tournament.
"We have a top notch program. We've been consistently in the top 20 to 25, typically. But we have to climb about 10 more spots consistently to get there," she said.
"A lot of people say it can't be done, it's an Ivy League school and all the other excuses that you can manufacture, but I know my team and I know my athletes and I know that they are capable."
Fink hasn't been on campus with her team since the pandemic hit and she is anxious to get back out on the field with her squad.
"The thing you miss the most is just the daily grind, right? The thing that you think you probably complain about the most," she shared.
"I love those first ten minutes before practice. The ten minutes where you are just shooting the breeze with the girls while they are getting ready, they're putting their shin guards on, you're joking, you're laughing, and you're maybe razzing someone. I think that's what you miss the most."
Prior to taking over at Penn, Fink served as the head coach at Haverford College and Archbishop Carroll High School. She played her college field hockey career at Saint Joseph's University.
You can listen to the entire interview with Colleen Fink above by checking out the latest episode of the KYW Newsradio original podcast, "1-on-1 with Matt Leon." Subscribe on the RADIO.COM app or wherever you get your podcasts.
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