Hall of Fame
From the first time she stepped onto the field in Lions’ Stadium as a member of the field hockey program, success followed Cathleen “Flip” Filippello. As an individual, she earned three All-America citations and played in the national championship game in each of her four seasons coming away with a pair of titles (1990 and 1991).
Her first season in 1989 saw the Lions reach the NCAA Division III Championship game, only to see their title hopes come up a goal short against Lock Haven University.
That changed the following year as the Lions rolled to an 18-0-1 record that concluded with 2-1 victory over Bloomsburg University in the national championship.
The 1991 Lions successfully defending that crown the following year as Filippello had a huge offensive season racking up 29 goals and 63 points. Those numbers rank among the best in program history as she still ranks fourth in both of those categories. TCNJ made it consecutive titles again edging Bloomsburg by the score of 1-0 in the title match.
In her senior season, she once again reached the national championship game, but the team suffered a one-goal loss that brought an end to the team’s 18-game winning streak.
Over the course of her career, the Lions went an impressive 77-3-2 and a near-perfect 31-0-1 in New Jersey Athletic Conference play, winning the conference crown in each of those four years. A two-time team captain for the Lions, she still ranks among the top scorers in program history, placing second in goals (81) and points (182).
Following a one-year stint as a volunteer coach for the Lions, Filippello went on to a successful coaching career at Hunterdon Central High School, winning a pair of Group IV State Championships. She serves as the co-director of the IMPACT Field Hockey Academy, giving her the opportunity to work with players of all ages year round. She serves as the co-director of the IMPACT Field Hockey Academy
She is currently the Assistant Principal and Supervisor of Health, Physical Education, and Nurses in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. She has spent the past six years as an administrator in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District and earned her Masters’ degree from Rider University. She is also striving toward another accomplishment as she started a doctoral program (Ed.D.) focusing on mentoring in education.
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