Kelsey Bing

Playing Field Hockey at Stanford University Fall of 2016
St John's School (2012 - 2016) Captain, Varsity all 4 years
St. John's School (2010 - 2012)

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From Kelsey:
1.Favorite Field Hockey Memory? Why?
My favorite off-field moment would be during the 2013 U16 National Club Championship. Kaylie Mings and I managed to trick the front desk into giving us a key to Tina’s room through an extensive story involving a missing child and a phone call. Our entire team proceeded to hide in Tina’s room right before bed check. So, Tina went through all the rooms, and no one was in there, so she got really annoyed. When she finally came back to her room, the entire team was in her bed. It was a quality Pride prank, and I am still proud of it to this day.

My favorite on-field moment would have to be the 2015 U19 National Club Challenge Team. We had a great tournament despite the fact that we only had 14 players on our team (2 goalies, so only one sub). I got to play in the field for part of the tournament to give some players a break, and I scored two goals! In the championship game of the tournament, we were down 2-0, so I got to play a little kicking back. Although we ended up losing the game, it was the first time our team had actually medaled at a USA Field Hockey Tournament (we started Pride losing every game by at least ten goals – personal favorite was when we lost 16-1 in two twenty minute running halves at festival). It definitely was an accomplishment for our team, and it was also a milestone to show how far Pride had come with Tina’s help.

2.What was your most exciting recruiting experience?
I think my most exciting recruiting experience would have to be when I found out I was admitted to Stanford. There’s actually a funny story that goes along with it. I found out during a field hockey tournament, so in order for me to talk to my coach, I had to call her per NCAA rules. I was standing outside the dorm that everyone was staying at, and I was jumping up and down off a waist-high ledge while I talked to her because I have a terrible time staying still. I guess I wasn’t paying particular attention, and I missed the ledge, and I cut open the whole front part of my shin. My entire shin was gushing blood as it was only a superficial wound, but I had to play it cool while I talked to Tara. My leg was starting to throb, and I have to admit I started to cry a little. Tara seemed really happy, and she told me that she was so glad I was being so emotional about my acceptance because she had no idea my leg was ripped open. I still have a nice scar that serves as a reminder to this day.

3.Why are you playing field hockey in college?
Ever since I started playing soccer at the age of four, I knew that sports were going to be a huge part of my life. Going into my freshmen year, I made a bunch of selection camps during NFCs and somehow ended up on the U17 Junior National Team. At that point, I probably realized that I was actually good enough to play at the level in college that I had always dreamed of playing. So, I pursued college athletics.

4.What have you done this summer to prepare?
I am conditioning, lifting, working out with Josh, and playing tons of field hockey. Essentially, I am trying to get in the best shape as possible before starting college.

5.If you could give one piece of advice to younger girls who want to play field hockey in college, what would it be?
If you continue working hard and putting all your effort into something that you love, then you can accomplish almost anything you want. Never give up. As Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

6.Who was the most influential person in high school?
Tina was most certainly one of the most influential people for me in high school. Tina has supported me through thick and thin (she even traveled all the way to Trinidad to watch me play which meant so much to me). Moreover, she inspired me to start the most wonderful finsta (@txp_ride – if you’re reading this, you must go follow the account), and she has put up with my countless pranks and shenanigans throughout the last four years. Tina has taught me so many different things, and I’ll be forever grateful.

7.Favorite post practice/ game snack?
The blood and sweat of my enemies that we have just defeated on the field. But in all seriousness, I like to have really plain food like pretzels and bagels so that my stomach is happy. I do love some fruit like frozen green grapes or clementines (but never strawberries before a game because they always make my stomach upset during exercise).

8.What pre game rituals do you use to hype yourself up before a game?
It is not necessarily my ritual, but Tina’s pre-game pep talks (that normally occur with the Stars indoor team) would definitely be my favorite ritual that gets me pumped for a game. In case you have no idea what she usually says, it goes a little something like this: “Do you want to play? Because I want to play!! Let’s all go out there and play the game we love. Okay, everybody: sticks in… Pride on three. 1, 2, 3… [everyone yells Pride and we take the court].” Not only is it motivational (and slightly humorous), but it turns out it actually works.

9.What made you want to be a college field hockey player?
They get really cool gear. But actually, I think that being a college field hockey player will help me develop into a more rounded person. I love the aspects of being on a team, and I want to be a part of one as long as possible. I can learn so much from the people around me, and I am excited to join Stanford’s team next fall.

10.What was one of the toughest experiences?
I think one of my toughest experiences would definitely be dealing with confidence issues while playing. I had a really hard time believing that I could still be good even though I was from Texas and hadn’t been playing as long as some of the other Pennsylvania/New Jersey girls. I play a significantly better game when I am confident and not in my head, so learning how to overcome this hurdle was a really difficult experience. However, I definitely think that it has made me a better keeper in the long run.

11.Year you began playing field hockey? How?
I started playing in seventh grade (2010). I had to do a fall sport, and my mother told me field hockey was the most like soccer, so I decided to try it out. I first volunteered to be a goalkeeper in seventh grade because there were thirty girls on our team. If you were a goalkeeper for one half, you got to stay on the field the whole other half without being subbed and were rostered for every game. I did the math out and found out that I got much more playing time being a goalie. Then, in eighth grade all the other goalies quit, so I was the only one left. After giving it a chance (like four months later when I started Pride), it turned out to be really fun, and I’ve stuck with it ever since. Although I have to say, I do enjoy the occasional play in the field.

From Tina:
Favorite Kelsey Moment (old) / why?:

The first time we qualified for National Indoor, it was like the entire Stars team was on an adrenaline rush. Kelsey played incredible against some good teams. We were a good team and were stunning people by how far we had come in a year, but she was making some truly incredible saves.
In addition, the NCC Prank from 2013. She was so crafty.

Favorite Kelsey moment (new)/ why?

Working with her this winter prior to going to the Junior Pam Am’s. It was so evident she was ready to go to college, and many kids just give up at that point (senioritis). She was just so committed to accomplishing her goals, that nothing was going to stop her from doing it. She would come to practice every Wednesday, no matter how happy or not happy she was, and just focus on developing her skills. She’d come up with her own practice plan and we would just execute to help her get ready. Someone who owns their development as much as she has is so powerful.
Kelsey playing field at NCC last summer. Her playing field in the second half would actually give our team the “emotional boost” it would need. Then she’d get in position in the circle and tip some goals in - it was awesome!
Kelsey being my assistant coach at NFC’s last summer. She was staying at the Nook because she was between events, and we would just jam out in the car to so many songs and she was a great assistant coach. Oh - she was really good at subbing; especially after I’d tell her “no” to certain subs.

Story we will forever tell about Kelsey:

She pretty much taught herself how to be an incredible goalkeeper. I helped Kelsey as much as I could, but her success is her own. She became a master of her craft by taking what she would learn at Junior National Team trainings, camps and clinics back Houston and work continuously to develop a better understanding of her position and the game. She really embodies the skill of deliberate practice because she would consistently practice different skills with the intention of getting better.
How she was truly a field general. Kelsey can direct everyone on the field from the back; even if they are 90 yards away. She can call/ read the defensive penalty corner set up, she can read the offensive penalty corners. She would call out from 70 yds away what corner we should call next. She such a dominant force on the field, provided such great leadership, and was a phenomenal role model for the younger players
In addition to teaching herself how to be an incredible GK, she kind of taught me how to work with keepers. Through the use of iPhone videos, self analysis and understanding what was wrong, she taught me how to work with keepers or at least identify what is wrong. I’ll always be grateful for this :)

Favorite Kelsey recruiting moment/ why?

This doesn’t have as much to do with her as it does her mom. I met with her mom and Kelsey at Panera Bread for a recruiting meeting. I’m not sure her mom understood the opportunities Kelsey was going to have by making this Junior National Team, but Hague asked me what it meant for her future - as in what can Kelsey accomplish for schools. Considering Kelsey made the U17 Junior National team before she even started high school - it meant a lot. Hague was in disbelief that Kelsey could be recruited by such top programs at first, and didn’t really get the “athlete thing”. Now…it is a very different story. So proud of Kelsey.

First memory of Kelsey / why?

I heard about Kelsey before I met her. Jess McClain had told me about her, but the first time I really saw what Kelsey was capable of was during our first Disney Tournament. Texas Pride had never really even won a game, and we were suddenly tying many games. We were tying because Kelsey was saving like 25 shots / game. That Disney Tournament, she played so well and it was the first time I really saw what she was capable of.