UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; Danielle Annibale Senior, Penn State Class of 1993 graduate, remembers playing in the South Jersey field hockey final for her high school, a game that sparked her collegiate athletics career. Danielle drew the attention of several college coaches in attendance, particularly Penn State Head Coach Char Morett-Curtis.
"The first thing you noticed about her was how fast and feisty she was on the field," says Morett-Curtiss. "She had such a competitive spirit and when you see an athlete with such qualities then you know she will be a fun player to develop and coach."
Her competitive spirit continuously drove her to be better for her teammates. "It's not about individual stats or how you play individually, it's about the team and what you can do for the team to make them better," says Danielle.
A memory that still makes Senior laugh was from a game at Michigan State when she left it all out on the field, including taking one to the chin as she was working her way into the lineup. Her toughness was always noticed by Morett-Curtiss. "She used her speed to attack and then to get pressure on the ball to force turnovers so she really contributed to both parts of the game," Morett-Curtiss. "I think one of her strengths was that she loved to score, she was always hanging around the cage and quick to get a tip or a rebound. Most importantly she just loved the game and it now shows in her passion to coach."
Today, Danielle is happy to be back on the field, this time as head field hockey coach at her high school alma mater, Bishop Eustace Preparatory School. Her field hockey program continues to be successful under her guidance. Named NJSCA Field Hockey Coach of the year for the 2012-2013 season, and now in her ninth year as head coach, Danielle has led the Crusaders to two State Championship titles, seven South Jersey Championship titles, and eight Conference Championship titles. This position is special for Danielle as she now coaches her daughter, Alex, a lead scoring forward.
Many of Danielle's coaching techniques are emulations of the coaches she has had throughout her career. She implements the lessons she learned from her high school coach Jeanne O'Brien Kline and the Penn State coaching staff. Penn State assistant coach Stuart Smith has been instrumental in giving Danielle suggestions on how to continue to build her program and how to support her athletes that want to continue to play at the collegiate level.
"I coach to try and make an impact, because I've had such impactful coaches, especially Char," says Danielle. "I think if I can be a role model like she was, it's such a nice opportunity to contribute." The lessons Danielle learned from Char while at Penn State help her lead her own program with compassion and resiliency. Knowing she has a mix of players who want to play at the next level and some who have never played before, Danielle is reminded of Char's ability to read her players and know what they need individually.
Danielle's field hockey expertise encourages a new generation of players season after season. As a coach, she believes it is important for her team to buy in and her players do just that. She is not afraid to challenge her team and reminds them of her confidence in their ability to win games. "When I watch her on the sidelines now, she's still feisty, but you can hear her encouragement and instruction to the girls in such a positive way," Morett-Curtiss says. "Her success at Bishop Eustace is very impressive but seeing the girls love the game the way that she did is what makes it even more special to watch."
While her record is consistently victorious on the field, her impact is also significant off the field. As a trusted role model, Danielle leads by example. Constantly encouraging her players to work hard, she believes that everything she teaches her players on the field translates into life away from the game. "If they can leave my program learning even more about life's lessons than hockey, I've done my job," says Danielle.
Danielle is proud to be a Penn State field hockey alumna. "For the girls to go and see what I have done and where I played, it's important," shares Danielle. This is one of the many reasons why she sends her team to the Penn State Field Hockey Team Camp each summer.
Danielle wore number nine for Penn State, the same number her son, Nick, now wears for the Saint Joseph's University baseball team. As she watches her son navigate the beginning of his collegiate athletics career, she is reminded of the memories and friendships she made throughout her time at Penn State. "That bond that you have from the day you walk into preseason till the day you leave is something that's unforgettable," shares Danielle. "When I come back to Penn State and I see what Penn State really is and how the athletes are such a core part of the school community, it makes me respect Penn State even more and makes me realize how fortunate I was to play for such a great program and a great university."
