It has always been important for Bree Bednarski to be close to her family while playing field hockey at Penn State. "My family plays a large role in my life and having them be able to come to all my home games and away games, it's just very comforting," says Bree. "It puts you in a better mindset." Bree's family is easy to spot during a game at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex, just look for their dog, a golden doodle named Bindi.
After joining the Bednarski family in May of 2018, Bindi has quickly become a favorite amongst the Penn State field hockey team. Bindi loves the players just as much as they love her, as she is a good luck charm and morale booster on game days. "It makes me so happy before we go on the field and start warming up," says Bree. Bindi's tail starts to wag as soon as she spots the team. After games, she sits and waits patiently to greet Bree and the Nittany Lions as they exit the field.
Bindi is at her happiest in Happy Valley because every trip to Penn State is new and exciting. She particularly loves greeting fellow Penn Staters. "She loves seeing people," Bree explains. "I brought her in the locker room once or twice, so she runs around everywhere to see everyone".
All five Bednarski's agreed on the name Bindi for their new golden doodle after seeing a tweet from Bindi Irwin, Australian television personality and zoo operator. "We went through so many names to try and figure it out," says Bree. "So, when we did find Bindi, we were like, 'Yes, that's it'."
Maybe it's the name and love for animals that rubbed off on Bindi, creating a fast friendship between her and the Nittany Lion mascot when they met. To show her Penn State pride, Bindi's family fashioned her to look like the Nittany Lion last fall, by shaving her body but leaving her face, feet, and tail furry. Bindi's look was complete with a Penn State bandana tied around her neck.
During the recent quarantine months, Bindi loved spending extra time with Bree and her family. "Having us home was probably the best time of her life," says Bree. While Bindi likes to play field hockey by chasing the ball back and forth, she is much more of a people person and would rather chase Bree than the ball. "She likes other dogs, but she is a people person," explains Bree. "She loves people, she loves us." Bindi loves to cuddle and play, and takes an extra liking towards Bree's mom, Lyn.
When it was finally time for Bree to travel back to Penn State for her senior year, Bindi was less than thrilled to say goodbye. "She knows when I'm leaving and you can tell in her eyes that she's sad," says Bree. The last time Bree was getting ready to leave for school, Bindi was sitting in her suitcase, trying to prevent her from packing.
While Bindi hasn't been able to visit the Penn State Field Hockey Complex yet this fall, Bree has been getting through the 2020 season with her teammates by her side. "We're all just getting through this time together," says Bree.
Between frequent phone calls and facetimes with family and friends from home, the Penn State field hockey team has bonded during their extra downtime together. "We've been able to hang out and we've had a spike ball tournament here and there," says Bree.
The team is hopeful about the possibility of getting to compete in the coming months, "We're excited," says Bree. "To be able to play some games this year, that would be awesome."
