Danielle Collins has been the head field hockey coach at the University of New England for seven seasons. The Walpole, Mass. native, who was an All-America performer at the University of Vermont, has guided the Nor'easters to the conference title match each year, resulting in four championships and NCAA berths.

What is your favorite physical location on UNE's Biddeford campus?
My favorite physical location is the Blue Bolt Field. This field was a dream of mine, for our program and the university. It is state-of-the-art, and it will help continue to grow our program so we can compete at the highest level of play. I take pride in that field, as do my players! It is always great to hear from other coaches that they want to play on our field, or rent it out, because 'it's that nice!'
 
What do you enjoy most about UNE?
What I enjoy most at UNE are the people! This is not just the student-athletes or colleagues that I work with, but also the alumni and parents that I get to interact with every year. The level of passion that each of these groups have for UNE has made me love my job that much more! The student-athletes are dedicated to the program and represent the university at such a high level. My colleagues come in every day with the same passion as the student-athletes and we work well together to continue to grow our amazing athletics department. The alumni group continues to amaze me every year and I love how they are still invested in the program and come back to campus for events, but also support our program at away games. Lastly, the parents are just an extension of our UNEFH Family! They are just as invested as their daughters and their commitment to help build our program, go so far above and beyond. We have some of the best supporters out there, rain or shine!
 
Why did you get into the profession and what has kept you in it?
I love to teach and I love competition! Being able to come to work every day and teach these student-athletes is always rewarding. I am not just teaching the game I love, but also teaching my players skills which will help them later in life. I have stayed in this profession because I love what I do – once you lose that passion then it is time to move on, and I'm nowhere close to that!
 
What do you hope the UNE student-athletes learn from their interactions with you?
As a coach, most student-athletes have some sort of 'fear' of interacting with us. I always want the student-athletes at UNE to know that I am a human as well and love being able to have conversations, whether it is with my players or players from other teams. It is a fun experience being able to have conversations with each one of them outside of sports, and learn new things every day! For example, one summer when working out in the weight room, a few of the women's lacrosse players were working and we would have discussions every week about the Bachelor/Bachelorette because they were always watching that when I was working out!
 
What activity(s) do you like to do away from campus that helps balance your life?
I love spending time outdoors – whether that is sitting on the beach or going for a run or walk with my dogs. I also love going to restaurants and trying different foods. Kennebunkport has some of the best places to be able to sit outside on the water and enjoy the Maine life!
 
What is the best professional advice you have received; something that you try to apply to each and every day?
Make sure that you have a work/life balance. Life is too short to just work every day and not enjoy the things that are around us. I will always be putting 110% into my profession, my players, and my program, but I will also always make time for myself, my family, and my friends.
 
What memorable moment(s) at UNE do you recall most often?
There are so many moments that I recall – team milestones, player milestones, coaching milestones, championships. But what sticks the most for me is being able to see my student-athletes laughing and smiling, day-in and day-out. I want to continue to make their time at UNE the best it can possibly be, seeing them succeed on-the-field and off-the-field, and then continuing on to their next chapter of their lives makes me proud.
 
Rapid Fire!
Favorite Place to Eat in Biddeford: Portland Pie
Favorite Sports Team: New England Patriots
Favorite Movie: A League of Their Own
Favorite Food: Anything Buffalo Style!
 

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Catch up on previous spotlights:
Ed Silva, men's basketball