Kellee Cribby is probably best known for her success as a lacrosse coach and former player, but this season, she will assume an additional responsibility as head coach of the Fox Chapel Area field hockey team. She will also continue her duties as the head coach of the girls lacrosse team.
Coach Cribby credits a significant portion of her acumen in field hockey to training under coach Barb Marois, a two-time Olympian who also played on the United States team at numerous Pan Am games.
“Although I have been away from field hockey for a while, I competed at a high level for many years,” remarks coach Cribby, who will be assisted by Lexi McGrath.
Coach Cribby’s impressive background in the sport includes captaining her high school team in her senior year. She was instrumental in helping the team win the Western Maine championship in her junior and senior years. In her junior year, the team won the state title and was the state runner-up in her senior season.
Coach Cribby’s background in the sport also includes competing at the U.S. Field Hockey national indoor tournament in 2008; the national field hockey festival, one of the largest tournaments in the nation; and Futures, the USA Field Hockey Olympic Development Program (ODP).
While she went on to become a lacrosse star and four-year varsity player on the Allegheny College women’s team, the coach’s interest in field hockey never waned. After graduation, she returned to Maine to coach field hockey at Traip Academy, a team that had only won three games in the previous season. When she took over, the squad qualified for the state quarterfinals.
Coach Cribby says communication with players is very universal, no matter what the sport.
She explains her approach, stating, “I really try to operate from a place of mutual respect, and as part of that philosophy, I like to make sure the girls know what my expectations are for the season, so we are all on the same page.
“I also value team chemistry and the importance of team building. That’s something I’ve emphasized in lacrosse and will be important in the field hockey season, too.”
It is too early to predict the Foxes’ path this season. However, coach Cribby is already encouraged by the ladies’ effort and dedication.
“I’m really looking forward to coaching this team,” says the coach, whose past success at Fox Chapel Area High School include shepherding the girls lacrosse team to the WPIAL playoffs three consecutive years. During her tenure, the 2023 lacrosse team finished as the WPIAL runner-up and has been semifinalists twice.
“They (field hockey players) have shown a lot of enthusiasm and have put in the work in the offseason. That work ethic and dedication are the core to the foundation of a successful team.”
Now, the coach’s sights are set on winning the WPIAL Class 4A title, something that has not been achieved since 2016.