Courtney Miranda; News and Online Editor; mirandcs@plu.edu
Colleen Hacker, Professor of Kinesiology and six time Olympic Games coach, has accumulated a collection of medals that could rival the treasure of a pirate’s dreams, and now has one more to add to the chest.
Hacker has been coaching the best athletes in the world for 22 years now, utilizing her personal experiences, extensive research and academic commitment to help athletes be the best at their craft.
After coaching 15 years at Pacific Lutheran University, Hacker was invited to join the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) which would later lead to the first of many Olympic gold medals.
One year later, Hacker got the call to join the Olympic coaching staff.
“My first thought is ‘I’m teaching here, I’m coaching here and we’re doing really well,’” Hacker said. “But when you have an opportunity to coach for your country…”
Leading up to the Winter Games, a lot of attention was focused on the lack of gold medals for the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team, but Hacker sees it differently.
“We’ve been silver medalists. We’ve been the second best in the world,” Hacker said. “So I’m not overly apologetic or sympathetic about that.”
However, she and the team certainly prefer the gold. Having been part of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team coaching staff for 12 years and the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team for 8 years, Hacker explained the absolute dedication and discipline the athletes have to their careers.
“This is a team that has sustained excellence, year after year.” Hacker said.
They have a saying in the Olympic sphere: “The Olympics are every four years—for Olympians they’re everyday,” Hacker said.
Hacker has been apart of six Olympic coaching staffs. The 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics was the first Games she wasn’t on-site for. Four out of the six games were summer seasons, so taking leave from teaching wasn’t a conflict like it was this year.
Hacker explained that she delayed her sabbatical twice in order to take time off for World Cups or Olympic Games.
While Hacker said she was disappointed she couldn’t be with the team when they won gold, she wouldn’t trade in the teaching for the games. No matter what, Hacker focuses on being present and making the most of every experience.
“If I was gone I would miss teaching. That’s the reality,” Hacker said. “I love both parts, wherever I am.”
Staying in at PLU gave Hacker the unique opportunity to teach during the Olympics, allowing students priceless access and insight to a professional working in the field at the highest level in the world.
“There’s a little bit of PLU in a great many Olympic Games and a great many world championships,” Hacker said.
