Tribe Field Hockey Enjoys Memorable Alumnae Weekend

Along with its annual awards banquet and spring tournament, W&M hosted a pair of Stix for Nix fundraisers to benefit former Tribe player Jessica Nixon.

04/24/08 5:45PM

Williamsburg - The William and Mary field hockey program held multiple events, April 12-13, as part of its alumnae weekend. Along with its annual awards banquet and spring tournament, the Tribe held various fundraisers to help benefit former field hockey captain and 2003 graduate of the College Jessica Nixon, who is battling cancer.

“It was a remarkable weekend,” head coach Peel Hawthorne said. “We had so much support from so many people. I have spent a lot of years coaching teams, but I have never felt more proud of the Tribe family. It was a moving experience to see the accomplishments of these young alumnae who have rallied around their lifelong fiend and teammate. We even had the parents of alumnae come back to participate in the day. Jess’ battle with colon cancer continues, but what an inspiration she is. All the qualities that made her an exceptional student-athlete are now being channeled into her fight with this disease. She is making great progress, and it was really something special to see her walk the 5k course and be cheered at the finish line by all the participants and organizers.”

The weekend began with the Stix for Nix 5K Fun Run fundraiser, which was organized by Nixon’s former teammates Jordan Steele Marrota (Class of 2003), Julie Zoolkoski (Class of 2003), Ann Ekberg (Class of 2003) and head coach Peel Hawthorne.Carl Zoolkoski, brother of Julie Zoolkoski, served as race director, and the Steele family of Williamsburg also lent a hand with Jordan's brother Joey, sister Jocelyn, mother and grandmother assisting with planning, publicity and registration. Sisters from Pi Beta Phi sorority also assisted with publicity and served as course marshalls, while member's Tribe field hockey and SAAC reps assisted throughout the day as well.

The 5k was followed by a field hockey tournament featuring W&M, Davidson, VCU and Radford as well as a W&M Alumnae squad. Approximately 25 former players participated in the 5K and/or the tournament, including Davidson head coach Ginny Sutton (Class of 2005), VCU head coach Kelly McQuade (Class of 2005), VCU assistant coach Shannon Karl (Class of 2006), Monmouth University assistant coach Maggie Long (Class of 2007), Zoolkoski, who is the head coach of American International, and Steele, who is an assistant coach at Stanford University. The race raised approximately $10,000 for the Stix for Nix organization, which was formed to benefit Nixon and Colon Cancer research and awareness.

Saturday's Tournament was followed by a reception for alumnae and friends of Tribe field hockey as well as current players and their families at the Williamsburg Hospitality House on Richmond Road. Following the reception, W&M handed out its team awards at its annuals Awards Banquet. Here is a look at the Tribe award winners for 2007:

Unsung Hero: redshirt freshman Kelsey Nawalinski
Most Improved Player: sophomore Courtney Farino
Defensive MVP: senior Gwen Hunter
Offensive MVP: senior Kim Hedley

In addition, Hunter was named a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) All American Athlete of the Year award winner. The Tribe also announced its 2008 team captains, junior to be Wesley Drew and senior to be Katie Broaddus.

On Sunday, April 13, W&M volunteer assistant Tess Ellis (RADathletics) organized a fundraiser hockey clinic at Busch field. Approximately 65 players from ages 8-17 participated. Alumnae coaches Sutton, McQuade, Karl, Long, Zoolkoski and Steele volunteered for the day as did W&M head coach Peel Hawthorne and assistant coach Quan Nim Anderson. Former Tribe players Jes Kacerek (Class of 2008) and Ann Ekberg (Class of 2003) as well as current freshman Camilla Hill (Class of 2011) assisted with the clinic which raised an additional $3,600 for the Stix for Nix cause.

Additional information on Stix for Nix can be found at http://www.stixfornix.org.

The W&M campus newspaper, The Flat Hat, also carried a story about the 5K Fundraiser (http://www.flathatnews.com/sports/2332/field-hockey-unites-to-support-).

Stix For Nix Fundraiser Photo Gallery