Field Hockey | 1/5/2021 9:59:14 AM
Erin Autera enters her third season as Hartwick College head field hockey coach in 2020-21. In 2019, Autera piloted the Hawks to a 13-7 overall record and their first Empire 8 Conference championship since 2005. Three Hawks earned all-region honors under Autera's guidance, while Sydney Gagnon was named the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year. In her first season piloting the program, Autera led the Hawks to a 12-6 record and a return to the Empire 8 playoffs in 2018.
Autera spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Hartwick and one year at her alma-mater SUNY Cortland, where she enjoyed a tremendous playing career with the Red Dragons. She was named the SUNYAC Rookie of the Year as a freshman and second team all-conference as a freshman and sophomore. After earning first team All-SUNYAC honors as a junior, Autera was a first team NFHCA All-America, all-region, and all-conference selection, as well as the SUNYAC Player of the Year as a senior.
Autera ended her career with 94 points on 33 goals and 28 assists. She ranks 12th in career scoring at Cortland and led her teams to a pair of NCAA Tournaments and the 2011 SUNYAC title.
Erin Autera - Today's Leaders
Coach/Administrator Name: Erin Autera
School: Hartwick College
Title: Head Field Hockey Coach
Year at Current Institution: 3rd Season as Head Coach/6th Season Overall
College Attended/Class Year: SUNY Cortland '14 (undergraduate); Canisius College '17 (graduate)
Playing Career: Played four seasons of field hockey at SUNY Cortland (2010-2013). Named SUNYAC Rookie of the Year as a freshman and second team all-conference as a freshman and sophomore. Earned first team All-SUNYAC honors as a junior before being named first team NFHCA All-America, all-region, and all-conference selection, as well as the SUNYAC Player of the Year as a senior in 2013. Helped Cortland to a pair of NCAA Tournaments and the 2011 SUNYAC title.
Favorite Professional Athlete/Pro Team: New York Yankees
Favorite Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life
Favorite TV Show: Grey’s Anatomy
Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Band of Brothers
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Peanut Butter Cup
Recent Community Service Projects Your Teams or Departments Have Worked On: Our team adopted a little girl, Trinity, from Friends of Jaclyn Foundation and sent holiday cards to other children who are a part of the Friends of Jacyln Foundation. We have been doing fundraising for the foundation and for Trinity as well.
How Does The Empire 8 Stand Out Among Other Conferences:
I love how the conference is able to focus on important topics outside of athletics and be able to incorporate it within our conference, which allows our student-athletes to learn and grow from each experience.
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time as a Player in College:
During my senior year at SUNY Cortland, we were losing 3-1 in the first game to nationally ranked Skidmore, and came back to win it in overtime. We had a successful season on the field, but I also enjoyed the atmosphere and team bonding we had that year.
Favorite Memory as a Coach/Administrator at Hartwick:
Our 2019 season had so many great memories to choose from! Being able to watch the young women on our team learn to trust each other and grow as individuals and as a team, was incredible. Their determination and ability to perform when they needed to the most was amazing. All the fun road trips, hotels, singing on the bus, and of course winning the Empire 8 Championship.
Who Was Your Biggest Mentor and Why:
My parents are my biggest mentors and are the reason I am in this role today. Both of my parents are educators and coaches, and they were able to show my sister and myself all the great things athletics had to offer. They showed us how to be strong mentally and physically through sport, and showed us several life lessons through athletics as well. Watching them grow as coaches throughout the years and seeing the behind the scene moments of time and effort they put in for their student-athletes inspired me to be the coach I am today.
Most Rewarding Aspect of Being a Coach:
The most rewarding part of being a coach is building relationships with your student-athletes and watching them grow throughout their collegiate career. To be a part of these student-athletes’ lives and seeing the strong women they are becoming within their four years is extremely rewarding. I love that my job allows me to help student-athletes be the best they can be and feel confident in themselves when they graduate.
What Have You Learned About Yourself as a Leader and In Your Role:
I have learned that what you do off the field is more important than what you do on the field. Understanding that a coach plays a significant role in how student-athletes succeed in all aspects of life, and that we have a duty to help them in any way possible. I have learned personally, that I have enjoyed this aspect of my role and will continue to learn new skills to help my student-athletes.
What Type of Leader Are You:
I have a player-centered approach to my leadership. In our program, we want our student-athletes to be a part of the process. We want our student-athletes to know why we are doing specific drills, we want them to express their thoughts on what works well and what doesn’t, and we want them to feel confident in making their own decisions out on the field.
What Are Some Positive Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic You Have Experienced?
I have had the time to think of new ideas for the team with my assistant to help our program grow and develop. This fall in particular has given me more time to be home with my husband and two dogs.
How Have You Had to Adjust as a Coach or Administrator to the Pandemic?
As a coach, I really had to think outside the box with my assistant when we were able to practice. We had several restrictions to protect the team and ourselves and we had to get creative with drills and activities. It has allowed us to grow and develop news skills as coaches.
One Thing Most People Do Not Know About You:
I LOVE Christmas. I start decorating the day after Halloween every year.
Advice for First-Year Student-Athletes:
Enjoy and ask questions! Your four years go extremely fast as a student-athlete and you want to make sure you enjoy every minute of it. To avoid unnecessary anxiety or stress, be sure to ask as many questions as possible. Your coaches, professors, and college are here to help you!
Advice for Graduating Student-Athletes:
Always be willing to try new experiences! You never know where one may lead you. Be confident and know that everything happens for a reason. Good luck and you got this!
The Empire 8 Conference's “Today’s Leaders Compete Here” Series features a coach or administrator from one of its member institutions who exemplifies leadership.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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