LOCK HAVEN – The Lock Haven Department of Athletics announced the hiring of Valerie Clarke as the next head coach of the NCAA DI Bald Eagle field hockey program.

“Valerie Clarke brings a proven record of leadership, player development and program-building to Lock Haven, and we’re excited to welcome her as the next head coach of our field hockey program,” said Jeff Osgood, Commonwealth University President.

Clarke joins The Haven after coaching at Converse University since 2018, where she built the upstart program into consistent conference contenders, including six straight postseason appearances and South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Tournament Championships in 2021 and 2022.

“We are excited to welcome Valerie Clarke to Haven Nation as the leader of our field hockey program,” said Director of Athletics Albert Jones. “Coach Clarke has a proven record of building programs into consistent postseason contenders and I am confident in her vision for Lock Haven field hockey.”

Clarke was named the Synapse.com National and SAC Coach of the Year in 2021, before guiding the Valkyries to their first-ever National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) ranking in 2022 as the No. 6 team in the country.

“I am beyond honored to become the next head coach of Lock Haven field hockey,” said Clarke. “I want to thank President Osgood, Athletic Director Albert Jones, VP for Enrollment Dr. Stephen Lee, and everyone involved in the search process for giving me this incredible opportunity. This program has a powerful history, and being only the fifth head coach in its history speaks to the longevity and legacy of those who came before me. I am committed to honoring that tradition while fostering growth, resilience, and a deep passion for the game in our players. I look forward to working with the athletes, staff, and community to continue building a program we can all be proud of. I am excited to help write the next chapter of Lock Haven Field Hockey and to be part of Haven Nation.”

During the historic run in 2021-22, Clarke developed the NCAA DII Player of the Year, two NCAA stat champs and the first three-time All-American in school history.

Prior to Converse, Clarke helped launch another first-time program as the assistant/goalkeeping coach at Concordia. In under two years as a collegiate program, Clarke helped develop an All-Tournament selection, Conference Rookie of the Year and a Second Team All-Region honoree.

Clarke was a four-year member of the field hockey program at Rhodes College, where she graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and German. As the starting goalkeeper, she led the Lynx to a pair of conference championships, while leading the conference in goals against average during her senior season.

She also obtained her Masters of Science in Sport Management from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee in 2012.