Bucknell University Athletics
Annie Zinkavich Joins Bucknell Field Hockey Staff
8/6/2004 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 6, 2004
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Following an outstanding playing career at Penn State University, Annie Zinkavich will bring her goalkeeping expertise to the Bison program as a graduate assistant coach, head coach Heather Lewis announced. In addition to complete oversight of the goalkeepers, Zinkavich will also be responsible for the team's community service and outreach programs, in addition to assisting with recruiting, scouting, strength and conditioning and individual player development. As a student-athlete herself, Zinkavich was a three-time all-region selection while starting in goal for the Nittany Lions. She was named Big 10 Defensive Player of the Week a total of five times in three seasons. For her career, Zinkavich recorded 335 saves, a .730 save percentage, a 1.42 goals-against average and 22 shutouts. In three years as a starter, Zinkavich led the Nittany Lions to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments. As a junior, she helped Penn State to a record-breaking season, where they lost to Wake Forest in the 2002 NCAA Championship game. Zinkavich graduated from Penn State with a B.S. degree in psychology with a business option and a minor in kinesiology. In addition to her coaching duties at Bucknell, Zinkavich will pursue her master's degree in education with special emphasis on college student personnel. Complementing her student-athlete experience, Zinkavich most recently worked as a goalkeeper coach for Lock Haven University in the spring of 2004. The Kingston, Pa., native has also worked at the Penn State and Mid-Atlantic Field Hockey camps. "The hiring of Annie will round out our staff with all critical areas -- attack, defense & goalkeeping -- having experienced coaching," said Lewis. "Annie's enthusiasm for the position, not to mention her talent, will only enhance Liz Jordan and Emily Groendyke -- our current goalkeepers. And, Annie has such a `spirit' about her that I think her transition will go smoothly." The Bison field hockey squad returns nine starters from last year's team that finished 9-8 and qualified for the Patriot League Tournament. Bucknell opens its 2004 season on Aug. 28 at Virginia. Bucknell sponsors 26 intercollegiate sports, including 14 women, at the Division I level (I-AA in football). It is a charter member of the Patriot League and has won the league's all-sports championship in 11 of the 14 years it has been contested, including the last seven in a row. Bucknell led the nation with a 100 percent graduation rate in the most recent survey and ranks third in Division I in producing Academic All-Americans.
