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| Posted 09.19.07 |
New Women's Hockey Coach Jodi McKenna Uses Sound Fundamentals as Ice
Breaker
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 Q:
Jodi, you spent nine seasons as an assistant coach at St. Lawrence
University. What attracted you to Wesleyan?
A: I enjoyed my nine years at St. Lawrence and would have been content to
begin a 10th, however, the opportunity to coach at Wesleyan was one that I
could no turn down, for two main reasons. Professionally, I am very excited
to be at an institution of Wesleyan’s caliber and to be able to work with
the dynamic student-athletes the university attracts. I am a Rhode Island
native. It’s nice to be back in New England.
Q: When does hockey season begin, and how does the team prepare?
A: Hockey practice begins Nov. 1, a date that I have circled on the
calendar. The team trains in the pre-season by lifting weights and through
interval and agility training. The ice is put down in the arena in the first
week in October and the players will be able to begin on-ice training then.
Our first opponent is Trinity on Nov. 16.
Q: Have you met your team members?
A: I have had the opportunity to meet the team as a group and individually.
They are a very motivated and hard working group, which is a great
foundation on which to build. I have seen video of last year’s games and am
excited by the combination of upperclassmen returnees and incoming first
years that make up the roster.
Q: What are your goals for your first year?
A: We have many small goals for the first year that will hopefully lead to
an improved win/loss record and a spot in the NESCAC playoffs. Initially, I
would like to build a team known for strong defensive play, sound
fundamentals and a tremendous work ethic.
Q: When and where did you being skating, and when did you begin playing
hockey?
A: I began figure skating when I was 4, but idolized my brother who was a
hockey player. After one year of skating I was able to convince my parents,
mainly my mother, to let me play hockey. I think she only agreed because she
thought it would be a passing phase. Little did she know that I would make
it a career.
Q: Where did you attend college and what was your hockey career like there?
A: I went to Brown University and graduated with a degree in American
history. During my time there I had the good fortune to play on successful
teams, winning the Ivy League title, the ECAC playoffs and placing second in
the first-ever women’s national championship. As a benefit to my coaching
career I had the opportunity to play both defense and forward. Overall, it
was a great experience.
Q: In addition to coaching hockey, you are a certified strength and
conditioning coach. How will this benefit your team?
A: Being a strength and conditioning coach has been a tremendous benefit to
coaching hockey. Hockey is such a physical and dynamic sport and one that
challenges the body in so many ways at any given moment on the ice. A
strength and conditioning program can help prevent and lessen injuries
common to hockey. My hope for the players is that by dedicating themselves
to a program they can stay healthy through the entire season.
Q: What are your thoughts on the Spurrier-Snyder Rink and the Freeman
Athletic Center?
A: I am very impressed by the athletic facilities here at Wes. The
combination of the stat-of-the-art Freeman Center and the old-school feel of
the Spurrier-Snyder Rink are unique to many of the schools around the
league. The closeness of all the facilities means that there is a lot of
interaction with and support from athletes and coaches of all the sports.
Q: Have you had the opportunity to meet the other Wesleyan coaches?
A: Yes. The coaches here are absolutely fantastic. Their experience and
dedication to the student-athletes forms the foundation of the athletic
department. I hope to use them as a resource to learn more about Wesleyan
and coaching in general.
Q: You have past experience coaching USA Hockey with the 18-19 Junior
Olympic Festival and the 15-16 Festival. Are there other programs you are,
or have been involved with?
A: I have had the opportunity to work with USA Hockey on a regional level
and with private hockey camps throughout the country. Although hockey is
smaller than most sports, it is growing in non-traditional areas such as the
southeast and southwest. It’s nice to see that growth and experience it
first-hand.
Q: Aside from hockey, what activities do you enjoy?
A: I enjoy anything that involves competition, through participation or
watching sports on television. In my spare time, I try to squeeze in
workouts, reading -- mainly history -- and walking my dog, a chocolate lab
named Banshee.
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| By
Olivia Bartlett, The Wesleyan Connection
editor |
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