Manheim Township’s head field hockey coach Jessica Shellenberger has had experience in the sport since a young age.

She was named an All-American athlete while attending Warwick High School, won a national title at the University of Michigan, collected over 300 wins and two state titles from her previous coaching career at Donegal and was named the People’s Choice 2019 National Field Hockey Coach of the Year.

Through all of her accomplishments, coach Shellenberger’s drive for success comes down to dance parties in the locker room, team bonfires and bus rides home after a win.

Shellenberger has been MTFH’s varsity head coach for the last four seasons.

“I get to forever be a high school field hockey player,” she said.

Under her coaching, the team has made it to the state quarterfinals for three consecutive seasons.

Shellenberger’s style of leading her team comes from applying her sport to life lessons. She makes connections that not only help guide athletes on the field but also into young women.

“A lot more of what I’m doing is developing strong women, as opposed to field hockey players. It’s the vessel to get you to the game of life where you’ve been successful,” she said.

Shellenberger describes a practice where she used a torn and discarded poster on the floor of the locker room as an opportunity for a valuable message.

“Leadership is not waiting for someone else to pick up the poster. Leadership is picking it up and putting it where it belongs,” Shellenberger said. “If you’re okay with stepping over a poster and not picking it up, then you’re okay with turning the ball over on the field.”

Shellenberger emphasized how team chemistry is crucial for field hockey, and that constant communication with teammates is a key aspect for success. She anticipates new players to emerge as leaders, which requires teammates to trust and respect each other as a result.

Shellenberger discussed how her players are taking rigorous courses that need as much or more attention from the players as their commitment to the team.

“The team has a good culture of valuing their education and supporting each other with their education,” Shellenberger said.

An important aspect and joy of coaching high school players for her is valuing every player’s “why.” Whether their “why” is to play in college, wanting to be a part of something, having fun with friends or being exposed to new experiences, they are always valid in Shellenberger’s program. She likes “the challenge of it all” when navigating these ideas.

Coaches often take inspiration from their former coaches to build on their skills to guide young athletes to reach their best potential. Shellenberger’s example is her late high school coach, Bob Derr, who spent 39 years coaching field hockey and making a lasting impact on Warwick’s athletic department. He led Shellenberger and her teammates to a 1999 state title.

Shellenberger describes her mentor as a “passionate individual that also had compassion. I knew that he always cared about me. You can always be hard and you can always be tough, but you can also always show love.”

Sacrifices are made by both players and coaches throughout the highs and lows of the field hockey season. Between the months of August to November, Shellenberger loses sleep, time with family and the ability to relax to create a great experience for her players. She also strongly values the commitment and dedication her athletes bring to her program.

Shellenberger believes that progress and victories do not always procure from lenient kindness. Instead, tough love with drive and high expectations make champions. Shellenberger takes this attitude with her when coaching through heightened competition. She also knows that compassion is the foundation of coaching.

Her high school athletes can advocate for her tough yet encouraging character.

“Shellenberger just has a way of motivating a team. She’s so smart and knows what she’s doing,” junior Julia Weaver said. “She pushes us really hard, but is also someone who is there for us as people, before field hockey. I’m where I am in this sport because of her too.” Weaver is a field hockey Temple commit who plays for Shellenberger for both Township and their club team, Next Level.

“I think in my whole heart that the girls know that they’re cared for and that they’re loved,” said Shellenberger.

Coaching the last 20 years has been life changing for Shellenberger. She feels excitement, passion and enthusiasm toward her job. One of her biggest goals through all of her victories is to coach her 12-year-old daughter, Emma, a seventh grader at MTMS.

“The special opportunity to have my daughter being my player, I’m tearing up thinking about it,” she said.

The field hockey team’s overall record is 9-5-2. They are starting their district tournament run at home against Ephrata on Wednesday, Oct 22.