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Schools

Her Cousin Is an NFL Star, but Kim Flacco Writes Her Own Headlines

Haddon Township field hockey player Kim Flacco was named to the All-South Jersey Second Team.

Kim Flacco knows a thing or two about athletic excellence. She was selected as a First-Team All-Colonial Conference field hockey player as a sophomore and junior, and most recently was chosen as a Second Team All-South Jersey member by the Field Hockey Club of South Jersey.

“It’s really cool,” Flacco said. “It’s definitely an honor.”

Residents of Haddon Township and those nearby in Audubon have come to expect nothing less from a member of the Flacco family.

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Athletic genes seem to flow rather naturally though the Flacco family. Kim’s older cousin, Joe Flacco, is one of the most well-known Colonial Conference graduates, making it all the way from Audubon High School to the Baltimore Ravens as a starting quarterback.

Her cousin Mike has spent time in the Baltimore Orioles minor league system, while cousins John, Brian and Tom all had athletic success at the high school level. And then there is her cousin Stephanie, whom Kim watched play field hockey and first gained an appreciation for the sport.

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Add in three brothers who attended and competed at Haddon Township High School, parents and grandparents who were involved with athletics and it is easy to understand why the Flacco name has become synonymous with athletic achievement.

“My family has been a big part of who I came to be,” said Kim. “Their support is great. My dad still helps me work on things on weekends and my mom has been great too.”

As for being in the shadow of a family member who plays in the NFL, Flacco said it really isn’t an issue. She insists that she never felt any outside pressure while carving out her own identity.

“There’s not really any pressure,” said Flacco, who naturally has become a Ravens fan. “I just go out and do my thing and play my game. (Any talk about Joe) kind of stays in the family. Some people bring it up every once in a while, but it’s not a big deal.”

Flacco set the career scoring mark at Haddon Township during her senior season, while leading the team to the Group 1 quarterfinals. She is now excited about the next phase of both her playing, and academic career. Flacco recently verbally committed to attend East Stroudsburg University. The school is located in Pennsylvania and participates in Division II athletics.

Flacco said her decision to attend East Stroudsburg was based on a combination of factors.

“I really like the coach and everything they had to offer there,” Flacco said. “It is a really nice school all together. They have a really strong field hockey program and do really well, so I am excited to play there.”

That doesn’t mean she won’t miss playing hockey at Haddon Township.

“What I am going to remember most is all the teammates I have had a good times with,” Flacco said. “All of the things I learned in Haddon Township will carry on when I play in college. Everything will stay with me.”

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