When Jeanne Kline started the field hockey program at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School 50 years ago, she was simply hoping to have enough players to field a team. The legendary coach recalls the bumpy grass field that the Crusaders first competed on and marvels at how far her program has come in half a century.
It was one of many memories shared as the program gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bishop Eustace field hockey program on Sept. 30 on the newly installed artificial turf field at Allison Field at Queen of Apostles Stadium on campus.
“To get everybody together today at the school was really exciting,” said Kline, who lives in Moorestown. “Just looking at this field and thinking that the field behind me is where we played first. It used to be a golf course and was all up and down.”
Kline started the program in 1973 and coached the Crusaders until 1994, compiling a 234-90-59 record, including two state championships, three South Jersey titles and nine Olympic Conference championships.
She was the guest of honor during a celebratory gathering, which took place after Bishop Eustace faced Haddon Heights in an early Saturday morning game. The school recognized the five coaches who have led the program during the last 50 years and several former players who returned to share stories of their great experiences on the field.
It was also a chance for current players to interact with alumni and learn the history of the program first-hand.
“It’s so inspiring to see [the] women who started this program so that we’re now allowed to play and persevere,” said Bishop Eustace senior captain Josette DeGour. “They have so many tidbits of information.”
The stands were lively as the Crusaders pulled off a thrilling 4-3 victory over Haddon Heights; Grace Donaghy scored the second of her two goals in the final minutes to win the seesaw battle. It was a victory fit for the occasion, paying tribute to all the players and coaches who came before them, winning a total of five state championships through the years.
“It was a wonderful game today,” Kline said. “It’s changed so much from when I started here. The girls really played well. They run, they hit, and I really enjoyed it.”
The Crusaders were happy to serve up a win for all the spectators.
“It felt really good,” DeGour said. “I’m really proud of the girls, and we brought it together at the end. We wanted to show the alumni that coming out was worth it and starting this whole program was worth it, and I think we did that.”
After the short ceremony, the alumni took the field for a scaled-down version of the game, involving about a dozen players. Current coach Trina Lisko didn’t disappoint, as the 1995 Eustace grad and former player at Duke University showcased the skills that made her the latest of well-respected head coaches to take over the program. Lisko became head coach this fall, following Kline, Alice Penza, Krissy Holak and Danielle Senior. Each has left her stamp on one of the state’s most successful programs.
“It wasn’t even a negotiation in my mind,” Lisko said of her new role. “As soon as I heard that the opportunity was there, I knew it was what I wanted. It was such a big part of my life and something I just felt like I still needed to be a part of.”
Lisko was quick to thank the former coaches and players who have helped the program prosper.
“Some of the original members from the 1973 team are here today,” Lisko said. “They really paved the way since Title IX and have allowed this tradition to continue. They talk of such great memories and they hold such love for this community.”
Lisko played for Kline, and the two departed Eustace in the same year.
“I really wouldn’t be where I am today without her,” Lisko said. “She did so much for me during my four years at Eustace. We’re so proud to have a living legend sitting amongst us today.”
The current team soaked it all in. They were attentive and enthusiastic during the ceremony and cheered loudly during the alumni game. When there was a quiet break, they jumped at the opportunity to speak with former players and coaches.
“I’m just pleased that they … were so interested in what went on before them,” Kline said. “We talked about how five or six of my first teams didn’t even have enough players to play. They enjoyed little stories like that.”
The players were thankful for the foundation laid before them.
“We’re so lucky that we have so much support from our coaches and our school,” DeGour said. “We have a new turf field this year at Allison Field. We have these really nice uniforms. Back then, all they had was a grass field out front and wooden sticks, but it’s come so far because everyone has helped us so much to get here.”
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