STX uses cookies to enhance your experience and quality of our site. By continuing to browse our site your accept your cookie policy.
For more information and to learn how to refuse the use of cookies, read our updated Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Katie Bam
ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
HOMETOWN: BLUE BELL, PA
ALMA MATER: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Why I Use STX
“I choose STX because when they approached me, they were willing to make any change to a stick that I wanted. I have used plenty of sticks in my career, but I have never had a stick that had every single aspect I loved, and STX was able to give me the perfect stick! STX is about more than just the stick in your hand. They are a family from the core. You walk into their building and it's like walking into a family gathering. Bottom line, I choose STX because they care about the athlete above all else.”
Accolades
- Associate Head Coach, University of Maryland
- Team USA alumni, played in the 2012 London Games and 2016 Rio Games
- U.S. Senior National Team member since 2005 and is the youngest to ever be named to the team
- Led Team USA to win gold at the Pan Am Games in 2011 and 2015, as well as bronze in 2016 Champions Challenge in London
- 2010 National Sportswoman of the Year, Team Sport by the Women's Sports Foundation
- Three-time First Team NFHCA All-America
KYLE'S SETUP
Q&A
Q. HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU STARTED PLAYING?
A. I had my first stick when I was 3 but started playing “organized” if you can even call it that, when I was 7.
Q. WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE ATHLETE (ANY SPORT) GROWING UP?
A. Mia Hamm, she was the selfless star of the US soccer team, but seemed so down to earth
Q. WHAT WAS YOUR PLAY HUGE MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?
A. My Play Huge moment was the most recent Olympics. I stepped on the field for the first game and did a quick reflection. I prepared as best I could mentally, physically, technically, and tactically. I had no regrets with my preparation and I felt as prepared as possible, it was time to relax and enjoy being on the field. Those six games at the Rio Olympics were my Play Huge moments.
Q. WHAT SONG IS ALWAYS ON YOUR PREGAME PLAY LIST?
A. "God Bless the USA," by Lee Greenwood
Q. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
A. Dirty Dancing! “Nobody puts baby in a corner!”
Q. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNGER VERSION OF YOURSELF?
A. Don’t over think things, play free and don’t worry about making mistakes. If you worry about making mistakes, you will make more mistakes!
Q. WHO IS ONE PERSON YOU (PAST OR PRESENT) WITH WHOM YOU’D LIKE TO HAVE DINNER?
A. Nelson Mandela
Q. WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU’D LIKE TO SEE CHANGED IN YOUR SPORT?
A. I wish we could go back to playing the ball into the circle from anywhere in the 23m off a free hit. I know the rule was put in place for safety, but maybe we could modify it that you can put it right into the circle anyway possible other than by hitting the ball? I think it takes away from the forward mentality of the game and slows it down, when it seems like all the other rules were implemented to speed up the game.
Q. WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE TEAMMATE YOU’VE EVER PLAYED WITH?
A. That’s a loaded question!! I have played with a lot of amazing athletes in my career, however my favorite person to play with has been Kelsey Kolojejchick. It seems like we know where each other are on the field without even having to look. I guess we think similarly so she’s fun to play with. She’s also a gamer, so I know I can give her the ball and she’ll get it done!
Q. WHO IS OR WAS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN HELPING YOU ON YOUR WAY TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE?
A. Cliché answer, but definitely my parents. I’m not sure how they did it with four kids, but they attended every game of all my siblings and traveled all over the country for us to be successful in our sports. Without them putting in the extreme effort to get me where I needed to be and providing encouraging words and hugs when necessary, I wouldn’t be the athlete I am today. There are a lot of ups and downs in sport, and my parents have seen me through it all and they were with me every step of the way!
Q. DESCRIBE YOUR PLAYING STYLE IN THREE WORDS.
A. Fast, Fun, Burglar
Q. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE EXERCISE OR DRILL TO DO WHILE YOU’RE TRAINING AND WHY?
A. Any shooting drill!
Q. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PRE-GAME MEAL?
A. Toast with peanut butter and slices of banana
Q. TELL US YOUR FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE.
A. “Well done is always better than well said!”
Q.IF YOU COULD PLAY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE?
A. Italy, simply because I have never been and I have always wanted to visit Italy!