DENVER  
During the month of February, the University of Denver Division of Athletics and Recreation will catch up with eight former black student-athletes, reflecting back on their DU careers and looking at their impact after graduation.   
 
Former Denver women's lacrosse student-athlete Hannah Hook played a key role in some of the most successful seasons in program history, posting the second-lowest career goals against average in a Pioneer uniform. In addition to an 8.68 career GAA, Hook has the fourth, sixth and seventh-best single-season goals against averages in program history at 8.27 in 2014, 8.80 in 2015 and 8.89 in 2013. The two-time Tewaaraton Award Watch List honoree earned 50 goalkeeper wins in 63 games played. Nationally, Hook helped the Pioneers to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, ranking fifth in the country with a .514 save percentage in 2013 and third with a .510 save percentage in 2014.
 
It isn't a single moment on the field but a multitude of memories during her tremendous career that come to mind though when asked about her favorite moment from her time as a student-athlete at the University of Denver.

"One of my favorite memories of being a student athlete was the night of the Women's Lacrosse 24-hour Wall-Ball-A-Thon," Hook said. "We were to continue wall ball for 24 hours straight as a team. I pick this memory as it encompasses not only my experience on a team in college, but also my love for the University as a whole. We bonded as a team, spending some sleeping hours in the locker room when we were not on shift. We were able to connect with many students, staff and community members throughout the day and night. This memory stays with me along with many other amazing memories I made at DU." 

Prior to stepping on campus for the first time, every freshman is asked why they chose the University of Denver. In 2011, Hook gave a frequently given response of "chose DU for the campus environment, the class sizes, the staff and the lacrosse team." While all those things are true, and are selling points of the great University and its women's lacrosse program, it's maybe the answers to the same question as a graduate that are more important as former student-athletes reflect on their careers.  
 
"I was enthralled by the off-campus life and the number of students that were involved in the surrounding DU community. The lack of humidity and mosquitoes sure was a bonus! The intimate school size gave me a sense of individual importance, while the community exposed me to many different types of students and cultures," Hook said earlier this week.
 
Following graduation, Hook joined head coach Liza Kelly's staff as an assistant, focusing on Denver's defense and goalies on the field and the Pioneers travel, community service and fundraising efforts off it. As an assistant at Denver, Hook coached goalkeeper Maddy Stevenson, who earned MPSF All-Tournament Team honors in Hook's first season in 2016, BIG EAST Second Team accolades in 2017. Hook then oversaw the development of three-time BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week, Carson Gregg, in 2018.
 
In August of 2019, Hook joined the Denver Pride club program's coaching staff, and has since been named the club program's recruiting coordinator. Denver Pride is the sister program of the Denver Elite boys programs in the LXTC (Lacrosse Training Center) umbrella, and has both box lacrosse and field lacrosse teams that compete all over the continent.
 
"DU prepared me for my profession of coaching by instilling the basics of education and how to grow in any environment," Hook said. "My ability to be independent and diverse in thought was learned in the classroom. I have found many lessons learned at DU gave me the ability to face adversity in the workplace and be successful in overcoming those obstacles." 
 
Coronavirus Updates: 
For the latest University of Denver updates on the coronavirus, click here. 
 
COVID Relief Fund: 
University of Denver Athletics and Recreation announced the launch of the 5280 COVID Relief Fund in September, a yearlong campaign with a goal of raising $1 million that will go towards supporting divisional operating costs negatively affected by COVID-19. Click here to donate to the 5280 Together COVID Relief Fund.  
 
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