Setzer steps down at Steinert
Field hockey is a game Alyson Setzer has been around just about her entire life as a player, coach and teacher, and as she steps away from the Steinert High program, it’s because she wants to do more for the Township and the players.
It’s no secret the three Hamilton Township schools struggle at the varsity level with no feeder system and Setzer wants to do whatever she can to enrich all the programs.
Setzer runs a field hockey camp for the Hamilton PAL and she’d love to expand on that in any way possible.
“I would love to extend that into the offseason,” said Setzer. “I’d love to work with the middle school kids to get them started even before they get to high school. It’s an area where other teams have an advantage over the Township schools.”
With a sectional title and several divisional titles safely tucked in her resume, Setzer knows the work — and often frustration — it takes teaching players as freshmen and sophomores, see them grow as juniors and really begin to flourish has seniors.
Then start the process all over again.
“Our kids don’t learn the game until the ninth grade,” said Setzer. “By the time they get it all and their skills are up to the standards where you want them to be they are seniors. I always thought, if I had those kid just one more year they’d be right where they need to be.”
While stepping aside wasn’t an easy decision, it is one she is at peace with going forward.
“It was harder than I thought it was going to be,” said Setzer. “When you think about it by yourself, your fine. Then when you go and talk to the coaches and the kids it’s when you realize there’s no turning back. So, it was harder than I thought.”
Setzer will be succeeded by former assistant Lorrain Heisler.
A member of the Child Study Team in the Township, Setzer is grateful for being able to coach the Spartans for 22 years.
“You make a lot of connections and not only with the kids, but their families,” Setzer said. “A lot of times you have the older sister and then the younger sisters. That has happened a lot of times and you become friends with the family.”
She will remain as the President of the County Coaches Association that does a great job with a banquet at the season’s end to honor players from each school in the county.
“I’m going to miss the competition the most,” said Setzer. “But, I’m looking forward to going wherever I want to watch games, whether it be in the county, South Jersey or North Jersey.”