Keuka College Women’s Field Hockey Team with Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham and businesswomen

Arriving on the lakeside campus reminded me of my youth growing up on a lake and making my heart sing. Nestled in the Finger Lakes, about an hour and a half from my home, is the quaint campus of Keuka College my sports destination for the day. Mesmerized by its charm, I parked my car behind the Recreation Center, went inside to find one of the most likeable coaches I’ve ever met – Erika Profenno smiling and ready to make learning Field Hockey my goal for the day.

Women’s Athletic Network players of the day

Seven business women, some with field hockey experience or moms of some of the Keuka College Wolverines Women’s Field Hockey team, arrived and started networking. We met there to caravan to the field where the players were eager to teach us this historic game. You might not know but field hockey’s origins started in the 18th-century making it one of the oldest team sports in history. Some of the business women brought field hockey sticks, goalie pads, and shin guards to uniform up for the game.

As we arrived at the field looking over the campus and lake, the stars of the show greeted us. They were giggly, exuberant team players ranked from freshman to seniors who play for Coach Erika. They were well- trained, well-behaved, and excited to teach a bunch of middle-aged women how to play the sport they loved on a brisk Saturday morning. As a college student, I cherished Saturday mornings so I can’t imagine being this happy myself if I had to rise and instruct a bunch of 50-year-old women.

Led by Senior Captain Makaela Mills, we learned how to “flick”, “strike”, “drive,” and “defend.” I easily perfected the drive motion since my energy level was high, but flicking the round compact ball, that fit in the palm of my hand although larger than a golf or lacrosse ball, was a tougher move for me. My friend Jill Bates said, “I keep thinking I’m driving a golf ball and raising my arms too high behind me.” Coach Profenno came to our rescue giving us detailed guidance. If there is one thing I’ve learned being taught so many different sports in a small span of time it’s that it is easy to confuse strokes and movements between them.

Soon we were assigned to two different teams, a mix of women and players, and lined up for two 8-minute halves for a scrimmage. FUN! I was put on the offensive line so I could score a goal. Behind me was a line of middies and then defenders and our goalie, a non-goalie player from the team who wanted to try out goal for once (she did great by the way). I made both teams name themselves – we were called F2 – the Feminist Field Hockey Team and the other team chose the name Plan A. (check out our TikTok Video of the scrimmage at this link).

As we ran wildly chasing the ball with our sticks in front of us, we laughed and laughed and tried our best to score. I must admit I didn’t score and our team didn’t win but kudos to Plan A for their expertise and 2 goal win. At the end of the scrimmage, which I wish went longer, we gathered for a huddle, sticks in the air, and smiles on our faces for a large group photo.

Women TIES members giving career and life advice to the students over pizza

We headed back to the Recreation Center to have a pizza networking party complete with a career and business discussion for us to give back to these sharp students. I gifted them each a Chicken Soup for the Soul “Running for Good” book that held my Boston Marathon story to inspire them further in life to play and give. To my surprise, they gifted me with my very own Keuka College Wolverine Jersey #24 which I absolutely love.

The experience was truly amazing. It was fun sport to learn and play - especially if you like running and being on a team. On this Monday morning, I am so proud to now be a part of the Wolf Pack – a Wolverine in heart and spirit.

Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham - The latest Keuka College Field Hockey Wolverine

It was an atypical day in my city with temperatures rising to 70 degrees in mid-October. The weather was calling and a glimpse of late summer grabbed me by the arm and led me out the door to put my bright pink kayak in the car. My sons gifted their father and I a pair of kayaks for Christmas three years prior so kayaking in this story is not about my first time kayaking, but rather about my longest kayaking adventure. Sometimes we get so used to playing the sports we love, we forget to challenge ourselves while doing them.

As the crystal blue sky and lake edged with orange, gold and crimson trees, welcomed my kayak and I one random Tuesday morning, the absolute absence of wind or other boats spoke to my heartstrings about attempting to kayak down the entirety of Onondaga Lake – 9.2 miles round trip. I often bike the 9 miles and wondered what it would be like to kayak it so for some reason with the conditions stellar, I decided to do it mid-way down my relaxing autumn row.

Unlike the Boston Marathon where I put in five training months of increased mileage to condition my body and mind to accomplish the 26.2 mile run, I hadn’t prepped kayaking ten miles on a whim. I knew I could do it because my arms were strong from archery all summer and stacking wood the past weekend so I had no trepidation in trying it out. Destiny USA sat at the south end of the lake and my bike trail weaved around it to the west. No sweat – literally - since it was a cool 55 degrees when I took off. No clouds. No threat of bad weather. No wind. Perfect sailing conditions even though I didn’t have a sail to help me just my middle-aged semi-flabby arms, the kind most women have.

Dave Matthews Band Concert - Darien Lake - 2010

I also had one other important thing with me – Dave. Dave? Yes, Dave Matthews Band serenading me along my way with some kick-ass tunes to get me rowing faster. I take Dave everywhere with me as most people know. He was in my ears running the streets of Boston and in every car ride I take to and from my new and old sports adventures. Kayaking the entire lake in silence would have felt really long, so a shout-out to my favorite musician, Dave.

Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham - mid-kayak ride

At one point on my expedition, my son called me as I oared my way near Destiny USA Mall talking about his wedding plans. I enjoyed the company on my solo journey. On the way back, loons, seagulls, and fish swooped, swam, and jumped around keeping me alert. I thought about Tom Hanks in the movie Castaway when he got so lonely on the bare island he turned to a volleyball to talk to as a friend. I must admit by the near end of my trip, I was talking to seagulls. One can’t be alone too long. It just isn’t normal.

As usual I had some insights after my 3.5 hour, 1,300 calorie burning boating experience, I like sharing after each sports adventure to encourage more people to try them. Here is my wisdom on this sport,

* There is nothing that beats being on the water in my mind and soul.
* Kayaking is a fairly easy sport to do especially if the wind is gentle.
* Once you buy, borrow, or rent a kayak, it is an inexpensive sport to do.
* Most kayaks are light enough to lift and transport if you have a good size SUV/truck.
* Being alone for 3.5 hours on a lake with nothing around is extremely peaceful.
* If you are going to do an exercise or sport of any kind, training helps to ease the pain and set the mind for the adventure. Get in those test runs or add miles to your journey until you are ready to go for the long one!
* Nature has a way of inviting all of us to join it in sports during all its seasons, and kayaking is an exceptional way to see all of nature’s glory.

Remember YOLO – You Only Live Once - so get out there and try kayaking in all seasons with a friend, your neighborhood loon or SOLO.

Field Hockey - Playing in a Wolf Pack

Crazy as a Loon or Long Distance Kayaking?