Jackie Hartzell
is leading the way

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

After four years of playing with the St. Hubert High School basketball team, Jackie Hartzell knew the Philadelphia Catholic League was the right place for her.
So now she’s coming back for more.
Meet the new head coach of the girls varsity basketball squad at Archbishop Ryan High School. Hartzell was hired several weeks ago to replace John Farrington, who resigned as coach in April.
"I’ve always wanted to be a coach in the Catholic League, so as soon as I heard the position was open, I knew I wanted to apply," she said. "Farrington has established a great traditional at Ryan, and I want to maintain that."
Farrington led the Ragdolls for eight years, consistently claiming a spot in postseason play.
"Judging as an opponent of Ryan, I know it has always been really tough to play in their gym," said Hartzell. "They’ve always played really hard and had excellent defense. I’m hoping to build on that and continue to have the girls work hard to develop those skills."
Before settling into her new school on Academy Road, Hartzell is wrapping up the summer season with her local AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) squad, the Northeast Rockers. The 13-year-old athletes were crowned Super Regional champions and Mid-Atlantic champions this season, and they were headed to Norman, Okla., on July 10 to compete in the nationals.
"I’m really excited," said Hartzell, who led her Rockers squad to a 22-5 record this season. "We’ve done really well this year competing locally, and I’m excited to see what we can do at a national level.
"I’ve been coaching them for three years now, and I love it," she continued. "I love the girls. We did pretty well this year. I’m really proud of them. It’s a great organization."
Hartzell used to be a regular on the courts herself. The versatile athlete could be found playing guard or forward during her four years with St. Hubert. She also helped the Bambies win the Catholic League Northern Division title during her junior and senior seasons with the squad. Hartzell graduated in 2001.
Her academic and athletic career continued at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, where Hartzell played for the Aggies for four years and studied senior-care management.
"Since I just got out of college not too long ago, I think I’ll really relate to the girls, being so close in age and everything," said Hartzell, who graduated from the college in 2005. "I know what they’re going through, and I think I’ll be able to help them since I went through similar experiences."
The 24-year-old Hartzell, born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia, made her coaching debut at St. Hubert shortly after earning her college degree.
"That was great. I really enjoyed coaching at St. Hubert," said Hartzell, who was named head coach of the Bambies’ freshman squad and assistant coach of the junior varsity team in 2005.
"Back when I played in high school, I knew I wanted to coach. Since my senior year at Hubert, I knew I eventually wanted to be a head coach in the Catholic League. That has always been my goal."
After a season mentoring the team at her alma mater, Hartzell accepted an opportunity to coach at Archbishop Wood High School.
"That was a great experience for me," said Hartzell, who was the junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant coach at Wood for the past two years. "It was a very tough place to leave. I loved it there. But now, I’m really excited about Ryan."
Even though the winter season is still months away, the Ragdolls are keeping busy in the Boyle summer basketball league. It gives them and other local squads, such as St. Hubert and Nazareth Academy, a chance to compete in the offseason.
"I’ve been going to summer league games to introduce myself and watch the girls play," Hartzell said. "They were very welcoming. They seem like a great group."
For the Ragdolls, official practices for the Catholic League season will start Nov. 17. The game schedule has been decided — and there’s one with special meaning for Hartzell.
"This year we’re playing St. Hubert at Ryan," she said. "It will be tough because I coached some of the kids who are still at Hubert, but at least we’re playing at Ryan, so it won’t be as strange as going into the visiting team’s locker room at Hubert. But I’m sure that’ll be an interesting game.
"I’m just looking forward to getting in the gym with the girls and start working," she said. "I’m really excited." ••
Jackie Hartzell will teach a basketball camp for girls in first through ninth grades on Aug. 8, from 2 to 6 p.m., and Aug. 9 and 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Archbishop Ryan High School, 11201 Academy Road.
Registration is $75 before July 31 and $100 afterward. The fee includes a camp T-shirt and beverages. Make checks payable to Jackie Hartzell. For more information, call 215-813-7845 or e-mail jhartzell44@yahoo.com
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com