Kaitlyn Kupiec
@kaitlynkupiec
Jane Kelleher Cullen has earned herself a place in the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame. As a standout field hockey player and graduate from the class of 2009, Cullen’s induction marks a celebration of her achievements on the field, as well as her dedication to athletics.
The Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame was created in 1972 to admire members of the college community who demonstrated outstanding achievement in their sport, as well as exemplary service, dedication and commitment to athletics, sports and related programs.
“It’s a really cool honor to be inducted,” Cullen said. “I was not really expecting that, but I think it’s a nice way to remember the times on campus.”
Cullen’s journey through athletics began in her early childhood years in Cape Cod, Mass., where she initially found her passion for soccer. It wasn’t until her middle school years in Harwich, Mass., that her love for field hockey was ignited by her gym teacher, who also happened to be the high school coach. It took a couple of years, but while attending high school, Cullen decided she wanted to try something new, leading her to play field hockey.
“The [high school] team had a really fun winning culture,” said Cullen. “Most of my close friends were playing, so I just ended up switching over.”
Her path to collegiate athletics led her to Springfield College, where she was captivated by the spirit of the team on a recruiting trip.
“It seemed like a really good group of teammates, and it made me want to keep playing,” said Cullen.
During Cullen’s time at Springfield, she left her mark on the field hockey program, finishing her collegiate career with 63 goals – which still stands as the second-best in the history of the program.
“I just had really good teammates,” said Cullen. “We always pushed one another and tried to compete and bring out the best in each other.”
Cullen’s performances on the field earned her a plethora of recognition, including three-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III All-American honors, three-time NFHCA All-Region First Team selection and three-time NEWMAC First-Team All-Conference recognitions.
She was also twice honored as the NEWMAC Field Hockey Athlete of the Year and named to the NEWMAC 25th anniversary team, further solidifying her status as one of the conference’s most distinguished players.
“It means a lot to me that I had teammates who were able to make it so fun, make it competitive and help me be a better player,” said Cullen.
Cullen’s impact extended far beyond individual achievements. As a leader on the field, she played an important role in the Pride’s success, leading the team to an impressive 75 wins. She helped her team secure four-straight NEWMAC Championship titles and four appearances in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
“One thing I think is really unique about Springfield is the graduate assistant model for coaching,” said Cullen. “Some of the graduate assistants that we had during my time were just amazing people in life. I feel like you could connect with them because they weren’t that far apart in age from you, but then they could have deeper conversations with you.”
Following Cullen’s graduation with a degree in psychology, she continued her education at Suffolk University in Boston, where she earned her Masters of Education in School Counseling. Since 2012, Cullen has served in various roles as a guidance counselor at the high school level.
Currently, as a guidance counselor at Gloucester High School, she plays a pivotal role in administering and implementing a comprehensive counseling program for approximately 250 students spanning grades 9-12.
“I had many mentors throughout my life that were super meaningful to me. I just wanted to be able to work with students and try to positively impact them,” said Cullen. “It’s been very fulfilling.”
Since graduating, Cullen has been back at Springfield only a couple of times for homecoming weekend. The induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 6 in the Campus Union.
“I’m really excited to get back on campus and see what things are like and see some familiar faces,” said Cullen.
Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics