Converse University

"It is extremely ironic that LHU FH recently issued a statement regarding online behavior and how actions impact people. In her final years at her former institution, Valerie Clarke created an environment and culture so unhealthy, athletes left in droves. When people spoke to her honestly about their mental health, she dismissed them and tried to manipulate and lie her way out of things. It is very interesting that now she has to act like she cares because she has to put on the show for the new AD, athletes, and their families. Promoting suicide prevention month and then belittling people checks with her. She’s a disgrace and embarrassment to the sport. And now the physical scores show. A10 for this program is a joke."

"Mental, emotional and verbal abuser, plays favorites, poor communication, abuse of power, lazy, unknowable. Creates a toxic environment. Does not have every players interest in mind. Just a terrible coach with no ethic to win "

"As the recruiting process is often hard to navigate and know what is being used to lure your athlete to a university, Valerie Clarke may have told/will tell your athlete the following (so if you have heard it… consider it a red flag): “You will make an immediate impact on the team” - then does not play “I don’t have kids, so these are my “kids”- this is a hard no, and quite disturbing- a dog person… not a people person “Ask for money, you will get an increase” - without understanding an athletic budget or needs versus wants and basic economic principles, empty promises “I have 2 conference championships” - giving no credit to the athletes, who later transferred, they knew more about hockey than her and coached themselves- The student athletes have 2 championships…kudos to them While there, your athlete might hear: “You’re not confident” - when people ask about their lack of playing time “If you stay I will personally dig into my own funds” - making empty promises and violating NCAA policy (also out of touch with those without a trust fund) “I care about mental health” - then really doesn’t because she herself needs support, which is often hard to help others when not receiving the necessary support she may need Questions you should ask before your athlete considers and before entering any agreement with her: “What has been your team retention rate in the past?” (The track record here is alarming- lots of transferring due to her lack of game knowledge, favoring certain individuals, specifically those from foreign countries, allowable bullying) -please note that athletes have to uphold the promise to promote the university and cannot tell the actual truth “Have you ever been investigated in your previous position?” - the answer is yes - at least twice, and then fired before her time was up at the previous school(violating policy) “What is your strategic plan for the team” - the game is too complicated for her, she really doesn’t understand field hockey, so there is not one (her sister reviews film for her and tries to figure it out, but both present as unathletic) “What specific/ specialized training will I get for my position” - none, players share drills “What specialized training did you receive for mental and emotional wellness” - maybe watched a mandated video - profoundly limited “What is your strategic plan for year 1,2,3?” - probably to remain employed “What is your emphasis on student success?” She has a knack for making comments about intelligence, but bless her heart (enter southern sarcasm) The recommendation would be to meet with the AD of the university who is a former football player and likely has little knowledge about field hockey. He’s a hype-man, so he will act like she’s great, but not actually know who she is/what her patterns of behavior are. He had to make a quick hire. He needs to become educated QUICKLY. He is there to promote the programs and will do so because he is an alumni, but buyers beware, duped! It’s kind of like a priest that is being investigated and quickly is relocated to a new church to hide and pretend lie things never happened. What you’ve done never really disappears, and word travels fast. People look at DI and think of the “bragging rights”, however it is a bottom tier program that needs a knowledgeable coach to help build. There is also conversation in the field hockey community that the team will be removed due to finances. LHU is part of a trio of universities that is now “commonwealth university” because of clear financial strain on the state system and these specific schools. There are plenty of other good hockey schools in that region, that is not one of them, and with the current staffing change it will only become more bleak. She’ll tell you she needed a change, but the truth is that she was running out of options and was let go anyway. Patterns are patterns… be on the lookout. "

"She is the worst coach I’ve ever had. Good luck lock haven."

"HUGE Catfish! Knows nothing about field hockey , makes her players come up with ideas to fix their own mistakes instead of helping them develop, as she has NO knowledge! No tactics at all player are always waiting for her to take any kind of lead on tactics during half time but NO , instead she relies on the team which ends up in an argument amongst each other because there is no authority at all! Is always late and doesn’t show up to her job until 2pm , despite telling her players to be committed to the program even through the early mornings and late nights , but proceeds to not show up to support her team. Also she always asks her sister for her notes on film claiming she needs to talk to her " assistant coach" for her opinion , which resulted in her sister making a whole new line up during the 2024 season against limestone after being at practice the night before. This shouldn't be happening since she is not employed by Converse. Apparently the playing time is also not judged by ability , just let your parents yell at Coach and next thing you know you are playing over people, who actually work hard to earn their spot. There also has been an incident in the 2024 season after senior day where she threw a fit that parents were personally attacking her character and made it a whole team issue instead of discussing it with the one player herself! Her coaching has impacted players mental health so that they had to go to therapy to regain their confidence since she only gives this as a reason good players aren't playing, also the only reason why people leave every single year is solely her coaching! She puts people in new positions mid season in an important game and felt like she deserved at pat on the back , because she gave us tactics , which was to SPIN RIGHT? Moreover she asked the team in the 2024 season to lose a game against Newberry so we wouldn't play them in the quarterfinal and claimed she is not telling us to lose but has all of these process goals proved otherwise. She violated multiple NCAA rules by talking to people who weren’t in the transfer portal to follow her to Lock Haven , despite also being asked to leave as this got exposed, she also has been lying about scholarships, which also contributed too! Has very clear favourites, that are mostly the internationals or people that feed into her delusions. I hope people will finally see her true colours, and good luck Lock Haven , clearly they don’t do a background check on their employees!"