Q: What did you like about Penn State during the recruiting process that has validated itself over the last few years?

FREEMAN: My recruiting process is my favorite thing to talk about. Going into my junior year [of high school], Penn State was on my radar but probably not in my top three. I took a few visits, but I wasn’t really sure. I decided to come up for an unofficial visit [in August] just to see the campus. Within the first hour, I was like, “I’m going to go here.” As soon as I got on campus, met the coaches and the team, there was nothing that could change my mind. I committed on the way back. It was the best thing I could have done. The people I have met here, everything surrounding me, has completely validated the decision. I could not imagine being anywhere else.

Q: Who has had the most influence on your field hockey career?

FREEMAN: Off the bat, my mom [Pam]. She played D-III in college. As soon as I was in kindergarten, I was playing field hockey, and she was coaching my rec teams. When I was in eighth grade [in Maryland], she was a big part of making the decision to go play club field hockey in Pennsylvania, which was a two-hour drive. That was a huge sacrifice for her, driving me to another state before I had my license. The overall growth of my career I think I can attribute to her. At Penn State, this team and the culture is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and just talking to people at other schools, it doesn’t sound like it’s the same anywhere else. Our team is so close on and off the field.

Q: What has stood out about new Coach [Hannah] Prince so far?

FREEMAN: Her energy is just so incredible. I have known Hannah since I was in eighth grade. She was training on the U.S. indoor national team when I was on the junior team, so we’ve crossed paths a few times. During the recruiting process, she was a big part of why I took visits to Louisville, where she was an assistant at the time. It’s kind of come full circle. I’d say the biggest thing about Hannah is that energy she brings. She makes you want to run through a wall. The first two weeks she was here, there was like an energy shift. The thing that stands out most to me is the way she can bring a team together; everyone is bought-in and focused and has the same energy. Her energy itself is contagious.

Q: What made you want to study marketing?

FREEMAN: I came in as a broadcast journalism major directly to Bellisario. Within the first few months of my freshman year, I didn’t think that was for me. The Penn State alumni network has been a big part of all this for me, especially when it comes to where I want to go after college. Talking to people about their experiences and learning about what they do and what is out there, I shifted more toward marketing and advertising. I think I can do a lot of things with it. Up until the beginning of this year, I was pretty confident that I wanted to do sports marketing. The more people I talked to in agency life or brand life outside of sports, though, I could see myself doing that too. It’s been a process of learning what else is out there, especially toward the creative side of advertising, campaigns and branding.

Q: You’ve done some coaching. Is that in your future?

FREEMAN: I don’t know if I see myself pursuing coaching as something serious, but it started in high school. I wanted to give something back to the community that helped me. I volunteered as a coach for the rec team that I played for growing up, and ended up having a lot of fun. I would do individuals and private lessons. I do love it, as it is fulfilling. You don’t realize until one of the girls calls you and says “I committed” how awesome it really is. Coaching the Penn State camps and during summer when I go home for winter break, I really enjoy.

Q: What do you hope to do after graduation?

FREEMAN: I don’t know exactly. What I would like to do is live on my own somewhere, move to a city and get that experience, be a little more independent. This summer, I’m doing an internship with an ad agency based in Boston, but we have to be back here (for field hockey) this summer, so I couldn’t move there, so it’ll be a hybrid thing. 

Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus?

FREEMAN: Probably around the library, just because as student-athletes, being around the athletic facilities all the time can be a lot, so sometimes it’s nice to just go to the library (laughs). It sounds really simple, but studying there, the flowers, everything like that, is kind of nice.

Q: What’s your favorite meal?

FREEMAN: I’m a really big breakfast person. Avocado toast, cottage cheese, omelet is my favorite meal.

Q: Favorite movie?

FREEMAN: Pride and Prejudice.

Q: Who is the best singer on the team?

FREEMAN: Oh God. I’m gonna go with [rising sophomore] Hope Russo. 

Q: What sport would you play if field hockey was no longer an option?

FREEMAN: I grew up playing lacrosse, too. Being from Baltimore, I played club lacrosse for seven years. My entire friend group from home plays lacrosse in college, I’m the only one who doesn’t. So it would be lacrosse.