About Us
- Mission Statement/Philosophy
- What does HTC Stand for?
- Head Coach Bio
- Associate Head Coach Bio
- Assistant Coach Bios
Mission Statement/Philosophy
The HTC Field Hockey Club mission is to increase the overall skill level of play for all levels of athletes. We provide top level coaching year-round to players of all ages and abilities. Our Club program is directed by a former United States National Team Member and Division I College Coach, a two-time All-American at The University of Iowa, Debra Brickey. Our assistant coaches are all former and current DI, DII, or DIII college or National Team standouts. We will keep a small coach to player ratio in order to personalize EACH player’s development path.
Our top-level staff is made up of coaches who are all passionate about this sport. Our goal is to lead players to reach their field hockey potential, as well as, develop a well-rounded young person with a great sense of self and community.
What does HTC Stand for?
When I decided to start this club team I was searching for a Club name. I thought about my playing days, my coaching experiences, why I wanted to start a club team, what was important to me, what I would want the team to stand for, and this is what shaped the name HTC.
I have been very lucky and blessed in my life, loving family and friends who have supported me through thick and thin! I have also been very lucky and blessed as an athlete. I have played this great sport at all levels and the game has given me opportunities beyond my wildest dreams. From the beginning I have loved the competition and admiration I have received as a member of a field hockey team. The feeling of accomplishment, of pride, of teamwork, of seeing all your hard work paying off, is a feeling that is one of a kind. I cannot explain for example what it was like to, after years of training, practicing, try-outs, being one of the last player cut from an Olympic Team try-out, to finally hear my name announced as a member of the USA National Team. To know that all the people around me who had supported me in this effort were standing and cheering for me, what a feeling! Another incredible moment was when I finally wore that USA uniform, and stepped into a stadium that had 30,000 screaming fans, to walk with my teammates behind the American flag, and stand there and look out and see people I did not even know, CHEER for me! It was and will forever be a moment and feeling I will never forget!
The next stage in my life was switching roles and becoming the coach or mentor. This was quite a different feeling for me and one that took a little bit of time to get used to. I had to move from receiving the cheers to providing that for my players. I will admit to you that is was and is a more satisfying feeling. To watch a player finally get a skill or take their game to the next level, to see that light bulb go on in their head, to see that smile on their face, to see their teammates cheer for them, to see the team come together after struggle after struggle, and get that their teammates are the key, put individual success aside, and put others first, is magical! I became the cheerer and gained such understanding of team, support, and what it means to belong to a group of individuals that morphs into a TEAM. Now to my surprise not only was I the cheerer for my players, but now I was being cheered for different reasons , for helping and guiding others, it was and is an awesome feeling!
So this is what I want to create for you. I want you to experience this feeling, no matter what level you participate in, Middle School, High School, College, or beyond, I want to help you accomplish these incredible moments. I want to cheer for you, I want your parents and friends to cheer for you, I want you to feel that pride through hard work and dedication, to finally walk out with your teammates on any field or stadium and feel the satisfaction of accomplishment! Along with these goals, I want to instill in all of you the joy and satisfaction of seeing others succeed around you, helping others who may not be as fortunate as you, encouraging younger players who are not as skilled as you, showing your teammates positive support at all times, understanding that you not only feel great when people cheer for you but maybe even a greater feeling when you cheer for others! That is our Club’s goal, mission, purpose, to experience the exhilaration of others cheering for you and your accomplishments, as well as, you cheering on others, your teammates, your friends, your parents. We will strive to accomplish both of these very unique and important concepts here at HTC Field Hockey Club.
So with this said, HTC stands for:
HEAR THE CHEERS!
Head Coach Bio
Deb Brickey Head HTC Field Hockey Coach
Deb is the owner of HTC Field Hockey Club, the Director of 4Goals LLC, and the Director of Field Hockey Operations for Star Hill Family Athletic Center. She travels the country extensively promoting field hockey through camps, clinics, and tournaments. Deb has over 13 years of field hockey coaching experience as a Head Coach at Northwestern University and Virginia Commonwealth University and as an Assistant Coach at the University of Connecticut and the University of North Carolina.
As a graduate of the University of Iowa, Deb earned her Bachelor's degree in Education and Exercise Science. While a student athlete at Iowa, she was selected a two-time All-American and a three- time All-Big Ten Player. Deb represented the United States as a member of the National Team, competing all over the world. Deb has recently accepted a Head Coaching position for the USFHA Futures Program in Connecticut.
Prior to returning to coaching, Deb was a Senior Manager with FedEx Office in the Connecticut Region.
Head Field Hockey Coach
- Northwestern University - 1995-1998
- Virginia Commonwealth University - 1994
- University of Connecticut - 1991-1993
- University of North Carolina - 1987-1990, 1989 NCAA National Champions
- Bentley College - 1986
| 1994 | Olympic Festival Head Coach - South Team, St. Louis Missouri |
| 1992 - 1998 | Futures Head Coach/Director |
| 1986-1990 | US Olympic Festival Team |
| 1989 - 1990 | USA National Team |
| 1983-1988 | USA National Reserve Team |
BS Exercise Science and Physical Education
- Two Time All-American - 1984, 1985
- Three Time All-Big Ten - 1983, 1984, 1985
- All Decade First Team - 1980-1990
- Captain - 1984, 1985
- Career Assist Leader
Vice President/Director
4Goals L.L.C. - 2006-Present
Senior Manager
FedEx Office - 1998-2008
Associate Head Coach Bio
Darren Smallhorn – HTC Associate Head Coach/Assistant Director
Darren is completing his 7th season as the University of Connecticut Club team Head Coach. Under Darren’s leadership, he has taken the Club team from a 1-11 season to winning the 2009 National Title in the National Field Hockey League. He is certified by USFHA as a Level II coach and Level II Umpire. He has been a USFHA Future's coach for 4 years.
Darren was a member of the Men's Junior National Team, as well as, the Men's Senior National Team Training Squad. He was selected as a participant in the High Performance Training Centers and Men's National Championships since its inception. His international experience also includes playing for Australian Doncaster's Club 2nd team for 3 seasons. While in Australia he was awarded the young player of the league award. He also trained in Argentina at the U21 Tucuman Club.
Darren is a student at the University of Connecticut pursuing a double major of Coaching- Administration and Nursing. He also works as a Technician at DaVita dialysis in Vernon.
Assistant Coach Bios
Lauren Gagnon – HTC Assistant Coach
Coach Gagnon graduated from Stafford High in Stafford Springs Connecticut in 2005. She was named to the Second team All-State her Senior season and was a three sport varsity athlete and named all-conference for both softball and field hockey. From 2005 to 2010 Gagnon attended Manhattanville College, where she received both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in History and Secondary Social Studies Education. She was named the conference "Defender of the Week" several times throughout her career in goal at Manhattanville College and received the Manhattanville College "Female Scholar Athlete of the Year" award in 2008. Gagnon coached the New Canaan High School Rams for both the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
Anne Parmenter – HTC Assistant Coach
Anne Parmenter begins her 10th season as the head field hockey coach at Trinity College, after guiding the Bantams to a 16-3 record, a third consecutive NESCAC Championship Tournament, their first NESCAC Finals, and a second consecuitve appearance in the NCAA Tournament. She is 73-65 in nine seasons at Trinity and 171-157-4 in 23 years of coaching field hockey at Connecticut College and with the Bantams. Parmenter ranks 13th in NCAA Division III in games coached and 20th in wins among active coaches.
A native of England, Parmenter graduated from Chelsea College in 1981 with a degree in education. She earned her master’s degree from Massachusetts in 1987. Parmenter also serves as an assistant women’s lacrosse coach and physical education instructor at Trinity. She took a year off from assisting the Bantam lacrosse team in 2006 to fulfill a lifelong dream of climbing Mount Everest.
Maureen Perkins HTC Assistant Coach
Maureen has been the varsity field hockey coach at Glastonbury High School for the past 13 years. While at Glastonbury, Maureen has been honored as the “Class L” Field Hockey Coach of the Year twice and in 2007 was named the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Field Hockey Coach of the Year. Maureen is a history teacher and department head at Glastonbury High School. Prior to coaching in Glastonbury, Maureen served as the Assistant Field Hockey Coach at Connecticut College.
Maureen earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Connecticut, where she played field hockey. She was a two time All Big East Academic selection and was a member of the 1992 Big East Tournament Championship team.
