Erin Scanlon Sets Sail for University of Georgia

The Huntington field hockey team and the Blue Devil athletic program will surely miss Erin Scanlon, who graduated in late June with the high school’s Class of 2023. She’s headed to the University of Georgia to study business management.

A three year varsity player, Ms. Scanlon captained last year’s field hockey team that won 14 games. She garnered All-County honors after capturing an All-Classification award as a junior. She was named to the 2022 National Field Hockey Coaches Association’s National Academic Squad.

“Erin is a gifted athlete, which combined with her incredible work ethic has given her strength, speed and agility,” Blue Devil head coach Kathy Wright said. “Erin was able to see the field, access the offense and adjust her defensive skills to stop the opposing team from scoring. She leads by example in practices and games, always going full-out, running her hardest and putting her heart into everything. She motivates her teammates to push themselves harder and to dig deeper in order to reach their greatest potential.”

Inducted into Huntington’s National Honor Society, English Honor Society and Math Honor Society chapters, Ms. Scanlon was recognized with the designation of Distinguished Senior following four years of academic excellence.

“Erin was a powerful, impact player for our team,” Coach Wright said. “She would take the time to talk to her teammates and be a role model as she demonstrated drills down the field. She plays field hockey with strength, grace, determination and skill. As a captain, she displayed excellent sportsmanship during every game. She has shown her teammates how to win with pride and also how to lose with dignity. She has shown them how to hold your head up and go back to face the next challenging game. Erin is an athlete that plays for the love of the game.”

Ms. Scanlon said that finding balance between academics, extracurricular activities and her relationships with family and friends has been a big part of her success.

“One of Erin’s greatest qualities is her tremendous heart,” Coach Wright said. “She is always looking to help and support her teammates around her on defense in any way that she can. Erin was the voice of our defense. She directed and encouraged her defensive teammates. She would replace her teammate, if the ball got by them, and be their back-up. She was an outstanding player for our team.

A committed and dedicated student, Ms. Scanlon’s weighted academic grade average hovered around a 99. She served as the Math Honor Society’s vice president and also participated in Key Club, Habitat for Humanity and the Environmental Club.

Ms. Scanlon even found time to volunteer at numerous activities, including at field hockey clinics younger players; at Flower Hill’s Halloween Bash; painting wall murals at Flower Hill Primary School; as a PARP mystery reader at Flower Hill; preparing and donating food baskets to the hungry at Thanksgiving; gift wrapping, setting up flags at town hall, preparing beds and packages for the homeless and several additional initiatives.

“Erin is just an amazing girl,” Coach Wright said. “I can’t express to you enough what a pleasure it is to be her coach. Erin is a true Huntington athlete that plays with determination and heart. She is an athlete that understands the value of a team and the meaning of dedication and commitment, but most importantly knows the level of pride and love it takes to wear a Huntington Blue Devil uniform.”