The girls varsity field hockey coach Rachel Haislip has retired from coaching after 15 years dedicated to the team. Haislip joined the Wildcats in 2011 as the JV field hockey coach before taking over the varsity team the next season. In addition to field hockey, Haislip coached girls’ lacrosse for seven years before having her second son in 2018. The demand of work responsibilities and being a mom of two led Haislip to focus her coaching role on field hockey, the sport she played her freshman year at the University of Richmond.
Haislip feels her love for coaching comes from the people she gets to meet. Connecting with fellow coaches, referees, and families, she was dedicated to creating a place where players felt comfortable being themselves.
“I hope that ultimately the girls feel they were a part of a community in which they were loved and supported. Instead of individual games, they remember their teammates and team accomplishments,” Haislip said.
The start of the season always brings new and old faces to the turf. The energy and anticipation during tryouts, though chaotic at times, were something Haislip looked forward to each season. The post-season tournaments were also a memorable experience.
“As hectic as it is, I love the beginning of the season. The fresh start, tryouts, and the promise of a new beginning. Watching the team form and the girls start to connect and become a team,” Haislip said.
Though she loved coaching, it wasn’t always easy. Staying dedicated to the team as well as her growing family and job, meant that Haislip was always working. Her coaching responsibilities went beyond the field, putting her in charge of practice plans, brainstorming lineups, and scheduling different activities for the girls. The dedication required to be a coach can easily make it a full-time job, but Haislip believes it’s important to remember why you coach during the hard times.
“Always remember that you play this game to have fun. And it’s just a game. Celebrate a win. Learn from a loss. I love coaching because I loved my time playing, the community it gave me, and the life lessons I learned,” Haislip said. “It has brought me so much happiness and joy. I have always loved ending my day at Deep Run with the team.”
Though ready for a new chapter, Haislip cherished her time as a part of the Wildcat family and will miss the relationships she has built within the community over nearly two decades.
