University of Delaware Athletics
Staff Directory
Zollinger, Tara
Tara Zollinger
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
Three-time Division II national championship winning head coach Tara Zollinger enters her first season as the head coach for Delaware field hockey after her hire in March of 2025.
"Tara has a proven track record of winning and competing at the highest levels," Skolnick said. "We are excited to welcome her, her husband Eyoel, and children Isra and Elias to the Blue Hen family. It was clear that she is committed to providing a great student-athlete experience and has a strong vision for player development. We are all looking forward to seeing Tara continue the rich history of success of our field hockey program."
Zollinger comes to Newark after spending the previous eight seasons (2017-24) as the head coach at DII Shippensburg in Pennsylvania where she won national championships in 2017, 2018, and 2021. She also led the Raiders to the 2022 national title game and semifinal appearances in 2023 and 2024.
"I am incredibly honored and excited to join the University of Delaware as the head field hockey coach," Zollinger said. "Delaware field hockey has a rich tradition of excellence, and I am eager to build upon that legacy alongside our talented student-athletes, dedicated staff, and passionate community. My goal is to foster a culture of hard work, resilience, and a championship mindset – both on and off the field. I am grateful for this opportunity and want to thank Jordan Skolnick, Chelsey Burk, Jenn Judy and the entire search committee for believing in my vision for the program and entrusting me with this opportunity to lead the Blue Hen field hockey program."
A Jeannette, Pennsylvania native, Zollinger boasts a 118-25 career record, including 59-8 in conference play, and 10-3 in NCAA Tournaments. She has directed four National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year, and a trio of NFHCA National Coaching Staffs of the Year.
"I want to express my gratitude to Ange Bradley for giving me my first coaching opportunity and for serving as a lifelong mentor," Zollinger said. "Her support and encouragement has been invaluable. I also want to thank Jeff Michaels, Carrie Michaels, and Ashley Grimm for providing me with monumental opportunities to grow as a coach and further my development during my time at Shippensburg University. A special thank you to Missy Meharg for her continued support and insight over the course of my career. Lastly, I am forever grateful to the student-athletes, fellow coaches, and support staff I have had the honor of working with. It is through their dedication, passion, and commitment that I have been able to evolve into the coach I am today."
Over the course of her eight seasons in Shippensburg, Zollinger has produced 41 all-league players, and 23 All-Americans. She's claimed four regular season Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) titles and a pair of conference tournament titles.
Prior to taking the reins for the Raiders, she spent four seasons (2013-16) as an assistant coach at Syracuse where she worked for former Blue Hen and UD Athletics Hall of Fame inductee (2005) Ange Bradley. She helped Bradley and the Orange to a national championship, ACC regular season title, and both NFHCA regional and national coaching staff of the year awards.
At Syracuse, Zollinger was a part of one the school's most successful seasons. She helped instruct a 2015 team that posted a perfect 16-0 regular-season record – the first team in 25 seasons to achieve the feat. The No. 1-ranked Orange also swept the 2015 ACC postseason awards, becoming the first team to do so since North Carolina in 1994.
A two-time PSAC Coach of the Year, Zollinger also serves as a coach with USA Field Hockey. She's held a number of roles including nexus coach (2021-25), supplemental coach for the women's U21 team (2024), high performance mid-atlantic region coach (2017-19), talent selection (2013-15, 2018, 2021-24), U14 futures national championship coach (2016-17), futures head coach and director (2014-17), and futures assistant coach (2010-14).
On the national level, Zollinger served a two-year term (2017-18 and 2018-19) as the field hockey representative on the coaches' council for WeCOACH (formerly Alliance of Women Coaches). She was one of 15 coaches from across the country spanning all three NCAA divisions that served on the council, serving as an ambassador in coaching communities and networks. At the completion of her term, Zollinger graduated from WeCOACH Academy 2.0.
She played college field hockey for former Blue Hen and UD Athletics Hall of Famer (1998) Missy Meharg at Maryland. For the Terps, Zollinger was an attacker who won two NCAA Championships (2010, 2011) and two ACC Championships (2009, 2010) – reaching the Final Four in all four of her collegiate seasons. She received Maryland's Kateri Simon Award in 2012, recognizing an athlete that persevered in times of adversity and displayed courage while bringing positive energy to all team sessions.
Zollinger earned her undergraduate degree in sociology in 2013 and was an active member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She was also a development assistant with the University of Maryland Terrapin Club, coordinating and organizing member and donor events.
She also holds two master's degrees in sport administration (2019) and sport and exercise psychology (2018) from Lock Haven.
Zollinger and her husband Eyoel have two children - Isra and Elias.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING…
"This is an incredibly powerful hire for the University of Delaware. There is no better person to put a program together than Tara. She's done it as an athlete and coach at multiple levels. I'm really excited for Tara and the University on this hire!"
- Missy Meharg - Head Coach, University of Maryland/UD Class of 1985 and Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee '98
"The University of Delaware is a place that shaped me as both a player and a person, and I'm incredibly proud of my connection to this program. Seeing Tara Zollinger take the helm is exciting because I know the passion, leadership, and championship mindset she brings. From her early days as an assistant coach, it was clear she had the vision and drive to build something special. She helped us win a national championship at Syracuse, then proved herself as a head coach with multiple titles at Shippensburg. Now, she has the opportunity to elevate Delaware field hockey, not only by building a championship program but also by uniting Blue Hen alumni in support of its future. Tara is the right person to create a culture of excellence that will inspire both current players and generations of Delaware field hockey alums."
- Ange Bradley, former Head Coach at Syracuse University/current USA U21 National Team Coach/UD Class of 1988 and Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee '05
"Tara is a proven winner, a program builder, and one of the most successful coaches in the U.S. over the past decade. Her leadership, vision, and ability to develop both players and teams have been proven time and again over the years. She will bring an immediate impact, and I have no doubt that she will continue to raise the standard of excellence in this new role."
- Allan Law - Head Coach of the USA Men's National Team
"Tara did an exceptional job during her time at Ship. It's easily apparent from her team's on-field conference and national successes that she built an extremely competitive program. She also made a tremendous impact on our student-athletes by emphasizing matters that stretch far beyond the field of play. Her teams performed very well in the classroom, were contributors to the community, and were invested socially on our campus. Tara's tenure as head field hockey coach leaves a lasting mark on our program, department and university."
- Jeff Michaels - Director of Athletics, Shippensburg University
"The University of Delaware is gaining an elite coach. One of the best in the country. Not only is Tara a gifted leader and teacher of the game, she is also committed to student-athlete welfare and creating a culture that lives its values. She will be greatly missed, both professionally and personally. Tara has left her mark at Shippensburg, and I am truly thankful for her commitment to our program, department, and university. I am now officially a Blue Hens field hockey fan and look forward to seeing her and the program thrive."
- Carrie Michaels - Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator, Shippensburg University
"Tara has a proven track record of winning and competing at the highest levels," Skolnick said. "We are excited to welcome her, her husband Eyoel, and children Isra and Elias to the Blue Hen family. It was clear that she is committed to providing a great student-athlete experience and has a strong vision for player development. We are all looking forward to seeing Tara continue the rich history of success of our field hockey program."
Zollinger comes to Newark after spending the previous eight seasons (2017-24) as the head coach at DII Shippensburg in Pennsylvania where she won national championships in 2017, 2018, and 2021. She also led the Raiders to the 2022 national title game and semifinal appearances in 2023 and 2024.
"I am incredibly honored and excited to join the University of Delaware as the head field hockey coach," Zollinger said. "Delaware field hockey has a rich tradition of excellence, and I am eager to build upon that legacy alongside our talented student-athletes, dedicated staff, and passionate community. My goal is to foster a culture of hard work, resilience, and a championship mindset – both on and off the field. I am grateful for this opportunity and want to thank Jordan Skolnick, Chelsey Burk, Jenn Judy and the entire search committee for believing in my vision for the program and entrusting me with this opportunity to lead the Blue Hen field hockey program."
A Jeannette, Pennsylvania native, Zollinger boasts a 118-25 career record, including 59-8 in conference play, and 10-3 in NCAA Tournaments. She has directed four National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year, and a trio of NFHCA National Coaching Staffs of the Year.
"I want to express my gratitude to Ange Bradley for giving me my first coaching opportunity and for serving as a lifelong mentor," Zollinger said. "Her support and encouragement has been invaluable. I also want to thank Jeff Michaels, Carrie Michaels, and Ashley Grimm for providing me with monumental opportunities to grow as a coach and further my development during my time at Shippensburg University. A special thank you to Missy Meharg for her continued support and insight over the course of my career. Lastly, I am forever grateful to the student-athletes, fellow coaches, and support staff I have had the honor of working with. It is through their dedication, passion, and commitment that I have been able to evolve into the coach I am today."
Over the course of her eight seasons in Shippensburg, Zollinger has produced 41 all-league players, and 23 All-Americans. She's claimed four regular season Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) titles and a pair of conference tournament titles.
Prior to taking the reins for the Raiders, she spent four seasons (2013-16) as an assistant coach at Syracuse where she worked for former Blue Hen and UD Athletics Hall of Fame inductee (2005) Ange Bradley. She helped Bradley and the Orange to a national championship, ACC regular season title, and both NFHCA regional and national coaching staff of the year awards.
At Syracuse, Zollinger was a part of one the school's most successful seasons. She helped instruct a 2015 team that posted a perfect 16-0 regular-season record – the first team in 25 seasons to achieve the feat. The No. 1-ranked Orange also swept the 2015 ACC postseason awards, becoming the first team to do so since North Carolina in 1994.
A two-time PSAC Coach of the Year, Zollinger also serves as a coach with USA Field Hockey. She's held a number of roles including nexus coach (2021-25), supplemental coach for the women's U21 team (2024), high performance mid-atlantic region coach (2017-19), talent selection (2013-15, 2018, 2021-24), U14 futures national championship coach (2016-17), futures head coach and director (2014-17), and futures assistant coach (2010-14).
On the national level, Zollinger served a two-year term (2017-18 and 2018-19) as the field hockey representative on the coaches' council for WeCOACH (formerly Alliance of Women Coaches). She was one of 15 coaches from across the country spanning all three NCAA divisions that served on the council, serving as an ambassador in coaching communities and networks. At the completion of her term, Zollinger graduated from WeCOACH Academy 2.0.
She played college field hockey for former Blue Hen and UD Athletics Hall of Famer (1998) Missy Meharg at Maryland. For the Terps, Zollinger was an attacker who won two NCAA Championships (2010, 2011) and two ACC Championships (2009, 2010) – reaching the Final Four in all four of her collegiate seasons. She received Maryland's Kateri Simon Award in 2012, recognizing an athlete that persevered in times of adversity and displayed courage while bringing positive energy to all team sessions.
Zollinger earned her undergraduate degree in sociology in 2013 and was an active member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She was also a development assistant with the University of Maryland Terrapin Club, coordinating and organizing member and donor events.
She also holds two master's degrees in sport administration (2019) and sport and exercise psychology (2018) from Lock Haven.
Zollinger and her husband Eyoel have two children - Isra and Elias.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING…
"This is an incredibly powerful hire for the University of Delaware. There is no better person to put a program together than Tara. She's done it as an athlete and coach at multiple levels. I'm really excited for Tara and the University on this hire!"
- Missy Meharg - Head Coach, University of Maryland/UD Class of 1985 and Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee '98
"The University of Delaware is a place that shaped me as both a player and a person, and I'm incredibly proud of my connection to this program. Seeing Tara Zollinger take the helm is exciting because I know the passion, leadership, and championship mindset she brings. From her early days as an assistant coach, it was clear she had the vision and drive to build something special. She helped us win a national championship at Syracuse, then proved herself as a head coach with multiple titles at Shippensburg. Now, she has the opportunity to elevate Delaware field hockey, not only by building a championship program but also by uniting Blue Hen alumni in support of its future. Tara is the right person to create a culture of excellence that will inspire both current players and generations of Delaware field hockey alums."
- Ange Bradley, former Head Coach at Syracuse University/current USA U21 National Team Coach/UD Class of 1988 and Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee '05
"Tara is a proven winner, a program builder, and one of the most successful coaches in the U.S. over the past decade. Her leadership, vision, and ability to develop both players and teams have been proven time and again over the years. She will bring an immediate impact, and I have no doubt that she will continue to raise the standard of excellence in this new role."
- Allan Law - Head Coach of the USA Men's National Team
"Tara did an exceptional job during her time at Ship. It's easily apparent from her team's on-field conference and national successes that she built an extremely competitive program. She also made a tremendous impact on our student-athletes by emphasizing matters that stretch far beyond the field of play. Her teams performed very well in the classroom, were contributors to the community, and were invested socially on our campus. Tara's tenure as head field hockey coach leaves a lasting mark on our program, department and university."
- Jeff Michaels - Director of Athletics, Shippensburg University
"The University of Delaware is gaining an elite coach. One of the best in the country. Not only is Tara a gifted leader and teacher of the game, she is also committed to student-athlete welfare and creating a culture that lives its values. She will be greatly missed, both professionally and personally. Tara has left her mark at Shippensburg, and I am truly thankful for her commitment to our program, department, and university. I am now officially a Blue Hens field hockey fan and look forward to seeing her and the program thrive."
- Carrie Michaels - Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator, Shippensburg University
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