PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's head field hockey coach, Colleen Fink, has announced the addition of Charlotte Vaziri as an assistant coach.
 
A 2019 Northwestern graduate who also had stints with the USA U-19 and U-17 national teams, Vaziri comes to Penn after coaching at the high school and club levels.
 
"After a thorough review of an incredibly talented pool of qualified candidates, Charlotte surfaced as a clear front runner," said Fink, who embarks on her 15th season overseeing the Quakers in 2024. "She represents many of our team's core values of teamwork, self-trust, and bravery. What set Charlotte apart was her love of the game (and all sports), attention to detail, passion for learning and growing, knowledge of what creates a successful program, and her ability to connect with others in a meaningful way.
 
"The women of Penn Field Hockey will be fortunate to have Charlotte as a resource, mentor and coach. Her experience playing on an Elite 8 team at Northwestern will make her a valuable asset to the program."
 
An Ohio native and Hill School graduate, Vaziri has coached with the Coyotes (Columbus), Windy City (Chicago), and Rise (Chicago) club teams as well at Columbus Academy. She also has been a private coach for multiple collegiate athletes and helped guide them through the recruiting process.
 
"Penn has always been special to me. I have three sisters who have called it their home as students. After meeting with Colleen, Sydney, and the rest of the staff, it felt like home for me too," said Vaziri. "They have built a rare culture that, as a former student-athlete, fills me with respect and pride. This group closely resembles my Northwestern team when we were on the brink of our breakthrough NCAA success. These players are knocking on the door, and I'm excited to help them kick it wide open and capitalize on their potential. It is an honor to join such an exciting program, and I'm looking forward to what the upcoming season holds."
 
Vaziri was a member of the Wildcats' Leadership Committee and was an NFHCA National Academic Squad member, a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, and an Academic All-Big Ten honoree. As a senior she was honored with the Tara Pullara Award which is given to the athlete who demonstrates a strong work ethic, the determination to keep fighting, and carries a positive attitude and belief in themselves, their teammates, and the coaches.
 
Vaziri played in all 82 games at Northwestern across four seasons and started all 62 games during her final three campaigns as an attacking defender.  Her junior year, the Wildcats went 15-7 and advanced to the NCAA Championship Elite 8 round for the first time in 23 years. Vaziri was a Big Ten all-tournament selection that same season.
 
Vaziri's international experience included stints with the USA U-17 and U-19 outdoor teams that toured Europe. She also was a member of the USA U-19 indoor team.
 
Vaziri graduated from Northwestern in 2019 with a major in history, a minor in legal studies, and a certificate in leadership. She then earned her master's from the University's prestigious Kellogg School of Management.