Legacy Student-Athlete Leaving Her Own Impressions

by Victor Fernandez

When Ellie Kalbach ’26 first arrived on Oyaron Hill, she had no idea she would end up making history twice. A nursing major with a pleasant personality and quiet confidence, Kalbach has carved out a legacy at Hartwick not only as a leader on the volleyball court but also as a member of the College’s inaugural women’s flag football team.

Volleyball was Kalbach’s first love. While growing up in Spring City, Pa., near Philadelphia, she found herself drawn to the sport in high school. Her program was young, still finding its footing, and so was she. But under the guidance of Club Coach Amanda Winbeck, Kalbach’s raw passion began to sharpen into skill. Winbeck helped her believe she could compete at the next level and soon, the dream of playing collegiate volleyball became a reachable goal.

When it came time to choose a college, Hartwick stood out. Its small class sizes and nursing program were exactly what she wanted, and the volleyball coaches gave her the opportunity to keep playing the sport she loved while staying connected to home. 

“It just felt right,” she reflected. “Hartwick was a place where I could grow as a student and an athlete.”

That growth came fast. Kalbach adjusted quickly to the collegiate game, holding her own against tough competition and becoming a reliable presence on a team that has made program history in each of her four seasons. Off the court, she’s been just as impactful, from volunteering in community cleanups and running volleyball clinics for local high schoolers to traveling abroad for service work in Thailand.

Within the tight-knit Hawks community, connections have come naturally. She formed bonds with Swim Coach Dale Rothenberger and Softball Coach Brittany Stroop, two fellow Pennsylvanians who helped her learn more about her Hartwick family history. That connection took on new meaning when she became a student manager for the swimming and diving team, a subtle but heartfelt tie to her father, Jay Kalbach ’97.

Like many children of former athletes, Kalbach grew up knowing her dad “swam at Hartwick,” but not much more. Her father never talked about his accolades, which included 11 All-America and Honorable Mention All-America honors, top-20 national finishes, and relays that etched his name into the Hawk record books.

“He’s always been so humble,” Kalbach said. “I didn’t realize how accomplished he was until I got here.”

That realization deepened their bond. 

“It’s been special,” she shared. “Now I can relate to what he experienced, competing for Hartwick and representing something bigger than yourself. It’s brought us even closer.”

This year, Kalbach added another chapter to her story by joining Hartwick’s new women’s flag football team, one of the first in the region. Drawn by curiosity and a sense of community, she quickly found herself part of something groundbreaking.

“I was so excited for the new opportunity,” she said. “It’s a chance to be part of something from the very beginning, to build a family and leave a mark in another way.”

Her love for football traces back to high school, where Powderpuff games were a highlight. When Hartwick launched its team, coached by the enthusiastic and encouraging Aaron Zurn, Kalbach jumped at the chance.

“Coach Zurn’s energy is contagious,” she affirmed. “You can really feel how much he believes in us and in what this program can become.”

Kalbach’s involvement in athletics mirrors her leadership across campus. She serves as treasurer of the Hartwick College Association of Student Nurses (HCASN) and governance chair of the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society, roles that reflect her commitment to service and growth beyond competition. Nursing mentors like Department Chair Kim Smith and Professor Lorena Marra have been instrumental in that journey, helping her balance the demands of being a student-athlete while nurturing her confidence as a leader and future nurse.

Looking back, Kalbach is most grateful for the people and experiences that shaped her. 

“There have been bumps and bruises, but every one of them taught me something,” she added. “Hartwick has made me stronger, more confident and more open to new challenges.”

Kalbach embodies what it means to be a Hawk. She is resilient, driven and proud to represent Hartwick. As she closes her senior year, she leaves behind more than stats and memories; she leaves a legacy of leadership, growth and heart.