L E T' S G O !!!
We are thrilled to announce that Maddie Zimmer has joined the Longstreth Athlete Program as a Gryphon Sponsored Athlete!
Maddie is a senior midfielder at Northwestern University, a member of the U.S. Women's National Team, and a proud OLYMPIAN! Maddie is a perfect addition to our already stellar line-up of sponsored athletes and ambassadors. Welcome to the team, Maddie!
Fun Facts About Maddie
What stick do you use and why do you choose it?
I use the Gryphon Tour Samurai because I like how balanced it is. As a midfielder, I need a stick that will give me power when I shoot and pass as well as finesse for using 3D and tight skills for eliminating defenders. The Tour Samurai is perfectly weighted and balanced to help me elevate my game.
How long have you been playing field hockey and what made you first want to start playing?
I started playing field hockey when I was seven years old and I hated it! I was really into soccer and lacrosse at the time, but since my mom played field hockey and lacrosse at the Division 1 level, she encouraged me to give hockey a shot. My family is incredibly competitive so my brother and I would pick up as many sports as we could and hockey eventually became my favorite.
What are you majoring in and what is your dream career?
I’m majoring in Learning & Organizational Change and minoring in Business Institutions at Northwestern University as well as pursuing a Sports Administration Master’s Degree next year. I would love to coach hockey in the future, but any career in the sports industry would be intriguing to me.
What’s your go-to pre-game meal?
For early games, I prefer oatmeal and coffee. For later games, I’m a big fan of a sandwich - specifically hoagies from Wawa.
What is your go-to game day hairstyle?
Two Dutch braids that I put back in a ponytail.
Favorite pump-up song(s) to listen to before a game?
This changes frequently, but right now it’s been a lot of Chappell Roan, The Weeknd, and Journey.
Describe your playing style in three words.
Fast, creative, relentless
What do you like to do when you’re not playing field hockey?
I absolutely love reading whenever I can, listening to Taylor Swift, and going on walks to talk to my mom.
Do you have any game day superstitions?
I try not to be too superstitious, but I do practice some visualization before every game so I’m ready to go.
What’s your favorite motivational quote?
“Great moments are born from great opportunities” - Herb Brooks, 1980 U.S. Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey Coach
If you could give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to not take anything for granted and to enjoy each moment you get to step onto a field and play hockey.
What was the most memorable moment for you during the 2024 Olympics?
When they blew the whistle to start our first game against Argentina, and we knew from that moment on we were always going to be Olympians. A close second is singing the national anthem right before - we all couldn’t stop smiling.
How did you prepare mentally and physically for this Olympic experience?
Physically, we trained 5-6 days a week and lifted 3 days a week. It involved a balance of getting us up to our peak physical fitness while making sure we didn’t burn out or get injured from overuse in the build-up to Paris. Mentally, we prepared by having a lot of meetings with our team sports psychologist, past USA Field Hockey Olympians, and Olympians from other sports. Personally, I made sure I had a support system that I could talk to and rely on when I was feeling anxious, drained, or tired.
Can you describe the atmosphere of the Olympic village?
We kept comparing it to the most intense summer camp you’ve ever been to. The excitement for the Games was infectious and seeing and meeting so many people from different countries and sports was amazing. The atmosphere was electric, you could really feel the nervous and excited energy throughout the village. Everyone was thrilled to be there but at the same time we’re all focused, driven, and intense.
