Denise Zelenak

Biography

31st Season in Fall 2025 West Chester ‘91 Drexel Record: 301-281 Career Record: 301-281 Denise Zelenak has been a fixture on the Drexel sidelines since 1995. She helped reshape the Drexel field hockey program. When Zelenak took over at Drexel, the Dragons were coming off a winless season and had just one season above .500 since joining the ranks of Division I. Since then, she has led the Dragons to two NCAA Championship appearances and made the program a perennial candidate for a spot in the Coastal Athletic Association Championships. In her 30th season at the helm, Zelenak led the Dragons to their fourth CAA Regular Season Championship in program history, posting a 14-6 overall mark. Zelenak was named CAA Coach of the Year for the second time in her career as the Dragons earned a perfect 6-0 record against conference opponents in the regular season. This included a win over nationally ranked Monmouth. Zelenak recorded her 300th career win in a come from behind victory against Wagner in double overtime, becoming one of 23 coaches at the DI level to earn this achievement. She also sits top-ten in wins among active coaches in Division I. Valentine Van Hellemont was named a NFHCA Second Team All-American, the eighth in program history to receive this honor and the first since 2012. Van Hellemont also received CAA Player of the Year honors, while Pien Elsen was selected Defensive Player of the Year. Drexel finished with a 14-6 in 2023, the most wins since 2012. This included a wi