Home Page

PHILADELPHIA – Drexel Associate Coach Nicky Hitchens has announced her retirement from collegiate field hockey. Hitchens recently completed her 19^th season on the Drexel bench as Denise Zelenak's top assistant.

"I am beyond thankful that almost twenty years ago Nicky trusted me enough to flip careers and join me coaching Drexel Field Hockey," said Drexel Head Field Hockey Coach Denise Zelenak. "Together we were able to build something to be proud of, constantly challenging both ourselves and our student-athletes. The successful rise of our program and culture is a testament to her commitment and passion for hockey and our athletes. I wish her happiness with her next chapter and know that she will not be a stranger to our Dragon family. Always a Dragon!"

In nearly 20 years as a Drexel coach, the Dragons have made appearances at the CAA Championship nine times. Hitchens helped lead the Dragons to two NCAA Championship appearances. She has helped develop seven All-Americans and worked with more than 50 First and Second Team All-Colonial Athletic Association selections.

Hitchens has been an active member for USA Field Hockey at many levels for more than a decade, including many years as the site administrator for Pennsylvania High Performance teams, head coach of the Pa. Futures Level 1 site and manager of the Women's Indoor National team program. She currently serves at the Coach Manager for Nexus Super Regional 5/6 (Pa. and N.J.). Most recently she served as Coach Educator for Junior Olympics in August 2021.

Hitchens has continued to compete post-collegiately and competed in multiple Master's Indoor and Outdoor World Cup teams in Germany, Australia, The Netherlands and Spain. She was also a member of the indoor national team. In August, 2021, Hitchens was named to the Over 55 Masters Indoor Squad.

"The Drexel Field Hockey program has been fortunate to have Nicky working tirelessly behind the scenes for the last 20 years," said former Drexel student-athlete and current Drexel Assistant Coach Susan Ciufo-Bennett. "From my time as a player to my time on staff with Nicky it has been evident the value she has added to the program. Nicky is a top-notch person and deserves all the happiness as she takes the next step in her life. Forever a Dragon!"

A 1989 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Hitchens was the 1998 Ivy League Player of the year and a two-time All-American selection. She was named First Team All-Ivy three times, led her team to three Ivy Championships and was 1985 Ivy League Rookie of the Year. In 1998 the Quakers advanced to the NCAAA semifinals. She is still ranked second all-time at Penn in goals and third in career points. In 1999, Hitchens was selected to the Ivy League Championships Silver Anniversary Honor Roll, which honored the top female athletes in the first 25 years of Ivy League Championship play. She was inducted into the University of Pennsylvania Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000.