Kelly Harchetts has led Union’s field hockey program since 2012. A William Paterson University graduate and dual-sport captain in field hockey and softball, she earned two All-South Atlantic Region first-team honors and holds program records for career goals against average, save percentage and shutouts. On the softball field, she was part of two conference championships and a College World Series run.
Before Union, Kelly spent five years as a strength coach working with athletes from youth levels to the NFL and MLB, while coaching at her alma mater. After coaching at Salisbury University, she joined Union, combining her passions for coaching field hockey and strength training.
Women's head field hockey coach Kelly Harchetts with Allison (Troy) Lebowitz ‘15, and Lebowitz's twin daughters, Madeline and Katherine (future Union students and field hockey players).
FIRST APP YOU LOOK AT IN THE MORNING:
WeatherBug. Coaching an outdoor sport in upstate New York, it's common to experience summer, fall, and winter weather all in the same day. You have to be prepared for anything.
THE LAST GREAT BOOK YOU READ:
“Sum It Up” by Pat Summitt will always be my favorite book. Thanks to Lauren Almy, administrative coordinator in Athletics, I'm currently in the middle of “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and I'm really enjoying it.
BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED:
"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, In all the places you can, at all the times you can."
You never know what someone else is going through on any given day. Kindness goes a long way.
WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING RIGHT NOW:
I love zoning out to a mindless show while running on the treadmill. Guaranteed if you see me in Alumni Gym, I'm either re-watching “Greys Anatomy" or catching up on the latest season of “Love is Blind.”
Aside from that, Season 47 of “Survivor.” In college, my roommates and I were really into this show. We had a whiteboard in our kitchen where we'd make our predictions for the final four and eventual winner. It's been years since I've watched it, but I'm fully invested again. If you're also watching, feel free to send me an email. Let's grab lunch and make some predictions!
ONE SKILL YOU WISH YOU HAD:
I'm not sure if this counts as a skill, or if I'm cheating by wishing for a superpower, but teleportation would be amazing. Could you imagine waking up in your own bed, going on a hike through Yosemite National Park, quick blink and I'm recruiting at a state championship field hockey game in Massachusetts, followed by dinner in Rome, Italy, then make it back home for the night. Hey, we'd never worry about finding a parking space again.
THREE DINNER PARTY GUESTS (living or deceased):
Aside from obvious family members, this is way too hard to pick just three. A one on one dinner discussing coaching philosophies with Pat Summitt would be a dream. The other would be a seat at a table to exchange stories with Diana Taurasi and Geno Auriemma, they are hilarious and smart. I coach field hockey, but I've also been a huge women's basketball fan since I was very young. I absolutely love my job so I'm constantly striving to soak up any knowledge that helps me improve. The X's and O's may be different, but there are far more similarities than differences. I'm a better coach because of conversations I've had with my fellow Union coaches of other sports too, I've learned a lot from them.
FIRST CONCERT:
I'm from New Jersey, so of course it was Bon Jovi. Ha!
LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT YOU:
I love to snowboard, skydive and surf, but also am a big fan of sewing, baking and doing 1,000-piece puzzles. Just depends on the day.
FAVORITE UNION MEMORY/EXPERIENCE:
The last 13 years of coaching Union field hockey have truly been one of the greatest joys of my life. Watching our players arrive their first year, grow and develop over four years (on and off the field), and leave as exceptional young women ready to take on life, cannot be put into words how special it is. I'm so fortunate to have this wonderful group who are like family to me. Whether they are learning a new skill on the field, a life skill off the field, landing their dream job, starting a family of their own, and everything in between, every moment is a favorite.
ONE THING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT:
Growth. "If I know one thing it's that I know nothing." There's so much to explore. …..and sushi :)