Thirty-five years later and Eileen Allan is still living the dream.
The Pompton Lakes veteran field hockey coach and educator recalls the day in 1984 when she received a call from then-school principal Joel McKenzie with a job offer she couldn’t refuse.
“After college I had been teaching for two years in other school districts. But I always wanted to return to Pompton Lakes if the opportunity was there,” said Allan, a Pompton Lakes High School alumna. “When I was offered a position to come back to the school where it all started for me, I jumped on the opportunity. It was always my dream job and it happened for me very early in my career.”
On Monday, Allan won her 400th career game when her Cardinals shut out NVDemarest, 5-0, at home. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak and helped the Cardinals pull within a game of .500 on the season.
“I’ve been truly blessed over the years with some great athletes and supportive school administrators who have made this program what it is today,” Allan said. “I have so many memories and have met so many people along the way. So many are part of this achievement. Without all of them, this milestone doesn’t happen.”
Allan, a physical education teacher, starred at Pompton Lakes in the late 1970s under legendary field hockey coach Deb West. Allan went on to play at East Stroudsburg University. After college, she accepted teaching positions at Wharton Elementary in Wharton and Wood-Ridge High School before returning to Pompton Lakes in 1984.
“The field hockey program at Pompton Lakes was dying by the time I came back,” Allan said. “Numbers were dwindling and there wasn’t a lot of interest in the community. Besides teaching and coaching at Pompton Lakes, my dream was to one day coach alongside Deb West. She was my mentor and a big influence in my life. Unfortunately, that opportunity never presented itself.”
Allan eventually replaced West in 1986 and the rest is history. During Allan’s tenure, Pompton Lakes has won an NJSIAA title (1999), 13 Passaic County championships and 11 state sectional crowns. The Cardinals claimed three consecutive North 1, Group 1 state sectional titles from 1986-1988 and 2008-2010, and three straight North 1, Group 2 crowns between 1997-1999.
Allan cites her fondest memories and greatest accomplishments as coaching both her daughters, Danielle (class of 2005) and Lauren (class of 2015) ,as well as two nieces and a great niece.
Her daughter Danielle helped lead Pompton Lakes to three consecutive state sectional titles and was tabbed state Player of the Year in 2009 and 2010. She later starred at Quinnipiac.
“Coaching my daughters and family members was special,” Eileen Allan said. “It’s been a great journey. Being a part of this school community and program is a dream come true. Time moves quickly and I’m blessed and thankful for everyone who has been a part of the journey.”
