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Denise Zelenak

  • Class
    1991
  • Induction
    2015
  • Sport(s)
    Field Hockey
A member of some of West Chester University's most successful Division I programs of the late 1980s and early 1990s, Zelenak helped the Golden Rams earn a Top 20 ranking throughout much of her playing career. Zelenak earned all-region recognition and was an Olympic Festival participant as well. In 1989, she played for the U.S. National Reserve Team, before graduating in 1991 with a degree in Health & Physical Education.

Over the last 21 years, Zelenak has served as head coach at Drexel University, carving out a 214-185 overall record since taking over the program in 1995. She was named the Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year in 2009 and has twice been named NFHCA Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year (2000, 2009). Zelenak has guided the Dragons to the CAA title three times (2009, 2010 and 2012) and has mentored nine NFHCA All-Americans. In the meantime, her field hockey team has also been honored as an NFHCA All-Academic squad in each of the past 13 seasons.

Most recently, Zelenak earned a spot on the Masters' World Cup over-40 team. She captained the United States National Indoor Field Hockey team from 2004-2011 and led the Americans to a silver medal at two Pan Am Games. A USFHA National Indoor Tournament all-star in 1994 and 1995, she led her team to the 1998, 2001, 2009, 2011 and 2012 National Indoor Championship.
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