Interview: Katie Jones, Bay Path College Field Hockey Coach

By: M. Ellis, Student Information Student Assistant

Longmeadow, Mass - Field Hockey has been a favorite pastime sport for centuries and it could be dated back to ancient Egyptian times.   In 1887, women's hockey club made its debut for the first time in England and it made it first appearance in U.S.A. in 1901 at a seminar at Harvard University. In 1984, under the direction of the legendary coach Vonnie Gros the U.S. won it's first Olympic bronze medal.

On this past Friday, I had a wonderful opportunity to interview Bay Path College's newly appointed Field Hockey Head Coach, Katie Jones.  

Q: Coach Jones, tell us a little bit about your educational background?

A: I grew up in Pine Plains, NY and went to high school there.   I graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2008 with a B.A. in Exercise and Sports Science.  

Q: Have you received any certifications pertaining to your current position?

A: Currently, I am pursing a M.S. in Exercise and Sport Studies at Smith College.   A requirement of this program is that I must be an active coach or an assistant coach.   I really love this program.

Q: Are you a member of any coaching associations?

A: Well, not as of yet.   I am in the process of becoming a member of NFHCA (National Field Hockey Coaching Association).

Q: What developed your interest in coaching?

A: As a little girl, I loved sports. But I was not the fastest runner or player.   So, I spent my time studying the sports games that I watched.   I loved discussing plays and strategies.   I was always told that I would be a better coach then an athlete.   A former player of mine told me "that it's in me" - that coaching was in me-, and I believe that it was meant to be.   What can I say, coaching is who I am, and it's what I am and what I want to be.

Q: How would you describe your coaching style?

A: I am a very much passionate coach. I expect a lot from my players and I demand 100% from them. But I also know when to lighten up the mood and have my players leaving the field laughing.   I think that leaves them excited and looking forward to the next game.   So, I would say that it is a balance between playing hard and having fun.

Q: What motivates you?

A: The players motivate me. When one of my players makes a goal and tells me "I did it, I did it" that fills me up with joy. I am convinced that this is what I am supposed to do.

Q: What is the best advice you would give your players?

A: I would tell my players to do their best and to give 100% when they are on the field.   I would let them know that this is a once in a life time opportunity to play on the field.   I would tell them to take a second and realize how special this moment really is.  

Q: Who had the greatest influence in your life?

A: I have had the incredible privilege of being surrounded by some incredible people throughout my life.  My family is absolutely my core and I owe everything in life to them.  In addition I have had many people who have taken a vested interest into helping me develop including fellow athletes who I have looked up to, my high school coaches, my college professors, athletic department and administrators and my mentors at Smith.  I could not name one person however that is not to say that each person doesn't have a very special place in my life.

Q: What is a quote that you live by?

A: My favorite quote is "Inspire, Empower, Create, and Hope" by Jaime Ginsberg.

Q: What are your hopes for this field hockey season?

A: My hopes are that my players see and know how much potential they have, and turn that knowledge into a successful season.

Q: Finally Coach Jones, how would you describe your experience at Bay Path College?

A: I have to say that my experience at Bay Path College has been more rewarding than I have ever expected or imagined.