For Jennifer Bodnar, field hockey runs deep in her veins.

So much so that even after she left Whitehall’s program three years ago, she remained active in coaching, spending her time as assistant coach at Muhlenberg College for two seasons, while also lending her time to a youth program in Whitehall.

“I never officially left the sport,” said Bodnar whose initial departure was after the birth of her first child.

Her first venture back into field hockey was running the Schadt Avenue program at Zephyr Park where she introduced the sport to players from grades 3-6, teaching them the fundamentals of the game.She then transitioned to Muhlenberg, serving as an assistant in 2013 and 2014.

Bodnar compiled a 70-47-7 record over six years in her first stint as head coach, her final season culminating in a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association playoff appearance.

She replaces Emily Repsher who resigned after three seasons at the helm, leading the Zephs to both a league and district playoff berth her final season.

Bodnar, who was officially approved as the new head coach in January, said she’s been with the team all spring. Her decision to return to the sidelines was also aided by her family’s willingness to make that transition to full-time coaching as seamless as possible.

“I knew it was something I could do with the proper family support system,” said Bodnar who now has two children, ages 2 and 4.

She credits her husband and family for making the adjustments so she can coach the sport she loves.

As she evaluated the situation, she knew that being the head coach at Whitehall again would be the right move.

“It just made sense to come back to Whitehall,” said Bodnar.

Bodnar led them through their summer league action which Whitehall hosts, something she began during her first tenure as head coach.

They play Monday and Tuesday nights and features 16 teams, mostly form then Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

Bodnar said they did well at the Whitehall Summer League, finishing above .500.

She said she’ll once again look to bring her brand of hockey to Whitehall, instilling concepts and philosophies that they want to achieve.A large part of that is making sure they’re enthused and energized about playing.

“When the girls are passionate, and see that you are too, it helps to instill that trust,” said Bodnar.

She’s also excited about bringing some of her former coaching staff back, notably Jim Kurtz who was with her during those first six years.She’s also excited about having two former players on board to help out this season, including Lizzie Millen and Erin Bonshak.

Bodnar is excited about the opportunity and is ready to take another go at it.

She’ll be guiding a playoff team that lost only two seniors from a team that finished 12-8-1. She said that the girls all understand the hard work necessary in making it a successful season.

Bodnar has helped build that history of success and believes this year could very well be another strong year.

“This is an outstanding team and outstanding girls to get the program where it is today,” said Bodnar.