Jodi Canfield enters role as director of athletics and chair of physical education

Photo courtesy of Bob Blanchard.
Dr. Jodi Canfield is the new director of athletics and chair of physical education at Mount Holyoke.

By Emily Tarinelli ’25

Sports Editor

After almost a year and a half without a permanent director of athletics and chair of physical education, Mount Holyoke College named Dr. Jodi Canfield to the role in June 2022. She officially stepped into the position on Aug. 1, 2022.

Canfield succeeded Lori Hendricks ’92, who retired from the position on Feb. 28, 2021 after 14 years with the College. From March 2021 through July 2022, Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Erica Lemm served as interim director of athletics, while Mount Holyoke Lacrosse Head Coach Miriam Esber served as interim chair of physical education.

Originally from Canton, N.Y., Canfield grew up surrounded by sports. Her mother was a physical education instructor, and her father was a collegiate skiing coach. She later attended St. Lawrence University — where she played lacrosse and tennis — and graduated cum laude with her bachelor’s degree.

From there, she entered the business industry at a ski and sporting goods company. However, when a lacrosse coaching position opened up at St. Lawrence, she knew she had to take the role.

“It was the best thing I had ever done,” Canfield said.

She remained the St. Lawrence lacrosse coach for 15 years, and was involved in several campus committees including the Diversity Commission, the Middle States Review, the Insititutional Strategies and Assessment Committee, the Sexual Violence Advisory Board and the Academic Advising Team. Additionally, she participated in several National Collegiate Athletic Association organizations, such as the Empire All-Region and All-America Committee and the Regional Ranking Committee. During this time, she obtained her master’s degree in counseling from St. Lawrence and her doctorate in child and family studies from Syracuse University.

After coaching at St. Lawrence, Canfield transitioned to athletics administration and served another five years as the University’s assistant athletics director. When the position of athletics director became available at Sweet Briar College, a small historically women’s college in central Virginia, she decided to pursue the opportunity.

“I’d never be the [athletics director] of St. Lawrence,” Canfield said. “[The current St. Lawrence athletics director] was going to stay. He’s still there. So I made a significant decision to leave and become the A.D. at Sweet Briar College.”

At Sweet Briar, Canfield was a member of the president’s cabinet and directed seven NCAA Division III varsity teams, in addition to an equestrian program.

Canfield said that while she embraced the single-gender sports program at Sweet Briar, “the gender diversity, inclusivity and … holistic viewpoint of gender” at Mount Holyoke was “much more appealing.”

“It was a no-brainer,” Canfield said. “I love the people at Sweet Briar, … but this [position at Mount Holyoke] was an opportunity to step into a very similar role, [with] more sports, more students [and] more going on.”

One of Canfield’s goals for this academic year is to understand the culture of Mount Holyoke and its athletics department. She has already started getting to know the student-athletes and coaches by learning about their visions and motivations in sports.

“I’m really focused on what I call the ‘student-athlete experience,’” Canfield said, noting her interest in expanding programs available to student-athletes. She stated that this year, she aims to continue building up the strength and conditioning program, which started in April 2022 with the hiring of strength coach Jay Mendoza. Additionally, she revealed that the department is in the process of hiring a third athletic trainer.

Canfield also emphasized that interacting with student-athletes and coaches is highly important to her.

“I have a very open door policy,” Canfield said. “If a coach has something that is of concern to them, they don’t need to make an appointment. If the door is open, I can multitask. … I really want to …[be] a coach’s coach, versus this A.D. administrator.” She added that because her office is somewhat detached from the main sections of Kendall Sports and Dance Complex, she makes concerted efforts to visit coaches down the hallway to say hello or congratulate them on their games.

“So far, I have not missed a home contest, [and] I won’t be able to keep that streak up forever, but it’s something that’s really important to me early on in the season,” Canfield said. “[It’s important] to just make sure the coaches know that I’m there.”

“[The students] who know me are now coming in and saying hey,” Canfield said. “Mount Holyoke has been such a welcoming community. I can’t express gratitude enough.”

Game of the Week: Soccer holds its own against Wentworth Institute of Technology

Courtesy of Mount Holyoke College Athletics.
Goalkeeper Clarissa Govea ’26 made six saves in their first ever Mount Holyoke soccer game versus Wentworth Institute of Technology on Sept. 10.

By Emily Tarinelli ’25

Sports Editor

Mount Holyoke College Soccer was defeated 3-2 as they took on Wentworth Institute of Technology at a home game on Saturday, Sept. 10.

The matchup was the academic year’s first Game of the Week — a spotlight event during which Mount Holyoke varsity teams rally to maximize spectator attendance and encourage community support. Mount Holyoke Track and Field celebrated the soccer team by creating personalized posters for each player. In addition, Track and Field chalked vibrant, colorful artwork on the paved walkways throughout campus, using arrows to guide students from Blanchard Hall to the soccer field outside Kendall Sports & Dance Complex.

The Wentworth Leopards scored three goals in the first period, but in the 29th minute, Jane Harmon ’26 assisted Hannah Keochakian ’25 to score the Lyons’ first goal. Keochakian later secured another goal in the second period, assisted by Posy Labombard ’23.

“In the second half, we didn’t let [Wentworth] score and were able to make an opportunity of our own,” forward Orion Griesmer ’24 said. “We weren’t able to tie it up or win the game, but we were able to be the stronger team who [is] learning the dynamic of playing with each other.” They also expressed confidence in the team winning future games, citing the strength of the team’s “grit and perseverance.”

The Lyons made 10 shots and eight shots on goal, with three shots on goal from Keochakian, two from Sonia McCollum ’25, one from Ada Siepmann ’26, Anna Kennedy ’26 and Jessica Drent ’26 individually. Goalie Clarissa Govea ’26 deflected the opponent’s shots three times in each half, totaling six saves overall.

Next up, the Lyons will play Springfield College in Springfield on Saturday, Sept. 17, in its first New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference game of the season. The Lyons’ season record is 1-3 overall.

“I’m very excited for the rest of the season,” Griesmer said. “I think we have a very good chance of winning a lot of games … being an underestimated team who can do big things.”

Team of the Week: Mount Holyoke Fencing

Pictured above: Fencing Club Team Practice in Kendall Gym. Photo courtesy of Sophia Karr ‘21.

By Gigi Picard ’22

Sports Editor

This edition’s team of the week is Mount Holyoke Fencing.  

The fencing team is a sports club coached by Debra Basili with approximately 20 members, including team captains Eva Volckova ’22 and Morgan Sammut ’22. 

Volckova explained the difference between club sports teams and varsity teams. “For many varsity teams, players must have years of experience in order to even be on the team, but with club sports, we anticipate that most people who join our club will not have prior experience,” she said.

Over the course of the semester, the team meets around twice a week on Zoom, but only on the weekends. Volckova stated that on Saturdays, the team does a workout along with a “Just Dance” break. Then, on Sundays, the team does bonding activities consisting mainly of trivia, “Among Us,” skribbl.io and other online games. 

As stated by Volckova, the team is a tight-knit group. They stayed connected over the summer via group chat. They also had weekly trivia nights and consistent workouts multiple times a week. “Although we can’t fence each other, we spend a good portion of our workouts practicing footwork, which will put us in a great position once we are able to practice in person again,” Volckova said.

Sammut said, “Going to fencing practice is something that would always cheer me up on campus. Even when I was stressed with assignments, fencing practice was always a place where I could go and everything was suddenly better.” Volckova added that the team misses each other, feeling the loss of their “Yeah yoke” chants before tournaments and their post- tournament dinners together.

Mount Holyoke Athletics Eliminates Golf Team

Pictured Lahela Delaney ‘21. Photo courtesy of Mount Holyoke Athletics.

By Gigi Picard ’22

Staff Writer

On Sept. 10, Director of Athletics Lori Hendricks announced the elimination of the Mount Holyoke Golf varsity team in a statement published on the Mount Holyoke athletics department website. 

Hendricks cited the decision as coming “after an extensive review of many factors, including student interest, indoor practice needs, competitive season, coaching support and conference alignment.” According to her, “This decision will allow the Department of Physical Education and Athletics to reallocate the resources from the program to support the broader-reaching priorities of the departmental strategic plan, enhancing the overall student-athlete experience at Mount Holyoke.”

 In its 2019-2020 season, the golf team competed in five tournaments between September and October. Their final tournament, the NYU Invitational, took place on Oct. 5, 2019, at the Forest Hill Field Club in Bloomfield, New Jersey. The Lyons placed fifth overall out of nine teams, with a finish of 690 strokes. Mount Holyoke Golf was expected to participate in more tournaments last April; however, the cancellation of Mount Holyoke varsity sports due to COVID-19 regulations prevented the team from competing. 

 Further in the announcement, Hendricks shared more information about the golf team’s history. “The program’s history dates back to the 1975-76 academic year and will be remembered through the student-athletes that have excelled among the nation’s top competition and multiple appearances at the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament,” Hendricks wrote. “Mount Holyoke College will continue to honor the history of the program, its tremendous golf alums and committed coaches.”

With regard to the Mount Holyoke Golf home course, The Orchards Golf Club, Mount Holyoke students, staff and alumni will still be able to use the course even after the discontinuation of the golf team. 

 Hendricks sent an email regarding the decision to all members within Mount Holyoke Athletics, including student-athletes, on Sept. 17. The College also officially released the same information to the public on Sept. 17, in an announcement which alluded to the possibility of further changes in the athletic department. The statement read, “As a direct follow-up to the strategic plan for Athletics, we will also be undertaking a comprehensive review of our Equestrian Center and initiating an academic program review of physical education.”

The Latest With Mount Holyoke Athletics

By Gigi Picard ’22

Sports Editor

Despite a national trend of cutting athletic programs due to COVID-19, Mount Holyoke College Athletics has not eliminated any varsity or club sports teams. During the spring 2019 semester, seasons were cut short and the final game played by student-athletes was a lacrosse scrimmage between Mount Holyoke and Smith colleges, which occurred just before both colleges closed for the academic year. 

In late August, athletes and coaches were reunited over Zoom for their traditional student-athlete barbecue. Led by Director of Athletics Lori Hendricks, the virtual Zoom event tried to bring back the lively spirit felt at barbecues from years past. One effort to bring the athletic community together was the unforgettable “Y-O-K-E” cheer. 

For Mount Holyoke Athletics, there are no in-person practices or competitions this semester. The College’s athletic programs this year will focus more on holistic community building rather than only the physical aspects of sports. 

Hendricks worked on the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) COVID-19 working group this summer, alongside several colleagues, directors of athletics, team physicians and athletic trainers. The purpose of the group was to develop plans and protocols for fall practices and competitions. Decisions were made at the conference level to host conference-only contests in the fall. Winter sport contests would be delayed until January.

For Hendricks, the future of the Mount Holyoke athletics department was a main consideration while working with the group. 

Hendricks explained that the department’s priorities and strategic plan lie with “competitive success, recruitment and retention, diversity and inclusion, student well-being, community integration and physical education.” Hendricks highlighted the importance of student-athlete safety during this time, as well as trying to find ways for fall sports to potentially compete in the spring. 

According to Hendricks, the current plan is to work with the NEWMAC conference — Mount Holyoke’s athletic conference — and the NCAA. “We are working with the NEWMAC and the NCAA to prepare a proposed competitive schedule for our fall, winter and spring teams in the spring semester. For squash and equestrian, who have different governing organizations, we are looking to their national leadership to provide guidance on spring schedules.” 

According to Associate Director of Athletics Erica Lemm, the Student Athletic Advisory Committee met during the summer to talk about the challenges presented by COVID-19 and other questions raised by the Black Lives Matter movement.  

“SAAC just added a Diversity and Inclusion subcommittee as well as [a] Diversity and Inclusion representative to [the] E-Board,” Lemm said. “Most importantly, they're laying the groundwork for important diversity, equity, and inclusion conversations to continue by creating a book club and discussing how best to have team dialogues,” she added.  

Mount Holyoke Athletics has plans to address NCAA legislation, host a virtual version of  the annual toy drive and continue to engage with Girl Inc., with whom they formed a partnership last year. The department also plans to recognize “teams of the week,” replacing last year’s regular “game of the week.” 

“Soon I'll be releasing programming for mental wellness, diversity and inclusion and leadership in conjunction with the NEWMAC,” Lemm said. “Additionally, we're continuing with the Student-Athlete Leadership Team and our newest group, the First-Generation and Ethnic Minority Student-Athlete Group.”

The future continues to remain uncertain for spring sports. Any further updates will be provided by the Mount Holyoke athletics department and the Mount Holyoke News.