The Hill School in Pottstown was crucial in making the Philadelphia region the nation’s “ground zero” of field hockey, writes Christian Red for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Hill started admitting girls in 1998 and soon formed its field hockey program. Eight years ago, the school hired Jen Weissbach — who starred for four years at Dartmouth, where she earned co-captain honors in her senior year — as coach.

And while the program was already well established at The Hill by that time, Weissbach helped turn it into one of the most prominent in the U.S.

“Since we went coed, it’s been one of the signature programs at Hill,” said Weissbach. “What I am most proud of in building this program is that we play one of the most competitive schedules in the country. Hands down. We don’t shy away from that.”

The school has now become a major pipeline for elite field hockey talent. Many of the program’s players compete in Division I programs, have joined elite club teams, and get selected to play on the U.S. national team.

Read more about field hockey at The Hill School in The Philadelphia Inquirer.