Carly King

Field hockey is a family affair for Carly King. She credits her older sister for introducing the sport to her back in seventh grade. Now, her younger sisters are taking part in the youth program as well. In between, King has stuck with field hockey to numerous high school awards and even to the collegiate level.

Though she played other sports in her time at Guilderland High School, field hockey has always been her favorite. After field hockey ended for the winter, King would take up indoor track as a way to cross train for field hockey. A middle distance runner, King competed in the 600 meters as well as the 4×800 meter relay.

“I liked doing track,” she said. “It helps with endurance and the motivation and hard work transferred over to field hockey.”

King said lacrosse offered her a similar opportunity to stay in field hockey shape. But while in field hockey she mostly played defense, King said she had a different role on the lacrosse team.

“I liked that I got to play a different position in lacrosse,” she said. “I had more of an offensive role in lacrosse. While it also has the team dynamic, I liked that it’s a different culture.”

But King garnered most of her accolades on the field hockey pitch. She helped the Dutchmen post the best record in program history and a Section 2 championship in her senior season. She was also named All-State and First Team Suburban Council All Star.

“I’ve found success when I’ve kept practicing, improving, and learning more,” King said. “We were all super close as a team this season – we were all striving for the same goal.”

Along with her athletic award, King was also recognized for her academic excellence in leadership by the Suburban Council. Each school in the council selects one female and one male student that excels in leadership.

King was selected because of her involvement with the Guilderland Field Hockey youth program. As the lead coach, King has been involved in coaching younger players in her area through regular practices, camps, and free playdays that offer a free way for any youth in the area who’d like to try field hockey.

She also helped the program raise money to purchase free equipment that’s offered to any player who wants to try the sport. To do this, King helped write grant with the Albany County Legislators Office. The program helps grow the field hockey participation numbers in the area while also offering those already playing field hockey opportunities to improve their skills.

“I volunteer with the youth program because I want to help improve the Guilderland program in the future,” she said. “Seeing the kids get along and learn teamwork – that’s a skillset they’ll have for the rest of their career.”

Off the field, King also tutors her peers through her school’s National Honor Society. Just like with coaching, she enjoys helping her fellow students build longlasting skills.

“Coaching is similar to tutoring for me,” King said, “Watching it “click” is just as rewarding for the students I’m tutoring as it is for me. It makes a difference that lasts a lifetime.”

King’s commitment to field hockey will continue into college. She will join the team at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island this fall. King says just like in high school, she’ll have to manage her time wisely as a collegiate player.

“If we have practice at 4 with school over at 2:30, I know I need to use that time wisely to do homework so I have the evening for my other things,” she said.

King said she’s honored to receive the Capital District Sports Woman of the Year away since it highlights the hard work she’s put in at an often-overlooked position.

“This award means a lot to me,” she said. “I am very honored to receive this award especially as a defender because a lot of the time accolades go to the people scoring the points, or the goalies making the saves.”