Danyle Heilig
Eastern Regional High School
Impact Statement
“What I’m most proud of is that I played a role, even if it was a small role, in helping to mold these young women at such an important part of their lives.” -Danyle Hielig
Biography
Eastern was a field hockey powerhouse before Heilig arrived, and she has elevated that tradition.
In 12 seasons as a head coach, one at Haddon Heights High School and eleven at Eastern, Heilig’s teams have compiled an overall record of 275-8-9, the best career winning percentage of any high school coach in any sport. Her teams once owned a 153-match unbeaten streak.
At Eastern Heilig is 255-2-5 against New Jersey opponents, including a 57-1 playoff mark. She was named United States Coach of the Year by TopOfTheCircle.com in 2009 after leading the Vikings to a 26-2 record, its 11th consecutive Group 4 state championship and its third Tournament of Champions title in four years. One of the two defeats came on penalty strokes to Kingston (PA) Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School, coached by the NHSCA’s 2009 National Coach of the Year, Karen Klassner.
An offensive juggernaut, Eastern outscored its eight state playoff opponents by a combined 63-4 margin and the Vikings led the nation in scoring with 206 goals, becoming just the second high school team ever to pass the 200-goal mark. Eastern received the Newark Star-Ledger Trophy as the state’s top program for the ninth time in 10 years.
Heilig continued to lead Eastern to state- wide dominance over the next ten years. 2018 was a special year as her team won their 20th straight state title, finished the season ranked No. 1 in the nation according to MaxPreps and she captured her 500th career victory.
Heilig announced her retirement in January of 2020.
She finished her stellar career with an magnificent 512-14-6 career record (that’s a 97.7 winning percentage). Her teams claimed a total of 21 State Championships during her 21 year career.
Photos
Articles
