F. Hockey's Cloud provides team's quiet intensity

Peering down at the often emotional sideline of the Penn field hockey team, one can not help but take notice of the stoic head coach. One might assume this coach cares little about the action on the field, but luckily for the Quakers, this Cloud has a silver lining. Penn field hockey coach Val Cloud may not scream a lot, but her silent intensity speaks volumes. With her level head and optimistic outlook on life, Cloud prepares the Quakers to play both mentally and physically. "She is probably one of the most optimistic people I have ever met," Penn assistant coach and former player Donna Mulhern said. "She sees the silver lining in everything. Every bad situation has something positive in it to her, which is very important for a coach." Cloud, now in her third year as head coach after serving as an assistant for 15 years, has compiled a 21-18 overall record, 8-6 in the Ivy League. Despite the record, effort means much more than wins, one of which Penn picked up last night 1-0 at Ursinus through an overtime Michele Canuso-Bedesem goal. "The score is not what is important, it is the effort and the productivity you put into the game, not only as an individual but as a team," Cloud said. "I was brought up to believe that you shouldn't do something unless you give it your best effort. Nothing worth having is easy." Having two daughters, 20 and 23, Cloud understands the emotional highs and lows the women go through. She chooses the route of honesty when dealing with her players, even when it might hurt. "She does not talk to us as if we don't know anything," Penn co-captain Canuso-Bedesem said. "She is very knowledgeable about the game, and she tries to relay that to us. She wants us to understand the game before we go out and play." Cloud definitely understands the game after traveling around the world playing for the national field hockey team from 1968 to 1974. She sees her job as more than coaching X's and O's. "I think it is my responsibility to help these girls grow into young women, " Cloud said. "I hope my experiences can help contribute to that." The experience Cloud brings to the Quakers includes an appreciation for the progress that has been made over recent years in women's athletics. Having competed in an era when female athletics struggled for equality, Cloud understands how lucky modern female athletes are. "Obviously women's role in sports is more acceptable now," Cloud said. "Young women know now that there is absolutely no limit to whatever they want to do. There are no more excuses with gender, if you want to do it, do it." The silent demeanor displayed along the sidelines during games masks Cloud's great competitiveness and intensity. Her expectations for her players are high and she expects them to be fulfilled. "Don't underestimate her quietness, because underneath is a really high level of intensity and I think the kids respond to that," Penn women's lacrosse coach and former field hockey coach Anne Sage said. Sage said Cloud stresses helping players develop into better people. She stresses playing sports and having a positive experience more than winning. "I've learned to have confidence in myself from her," Quakers freshman midfielder Cindy Quinn said. "It is intimidating coming in as a freshman, but she always encourages me. When I come out of the game she tells me what I did wrong and what I did right." Off the field, the intensity so apparent when staring at the coach on the sideline, is replaced by happiness, enthusiasm and an occasional corny joke. Cloud fully appreciates her life and family. "I'm having a great time,"Cloud said. "If you can find a job in life that you really enjoy and love, nothing can top it."