Dani Ackerman starred on the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team from 2012 to 2015 and helped the Hawks to four-straight conference titles.

Ackerman was one of the most decorated student-athletes in school history. Along with being a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) champion in every season as a Hawk, she was named to the All-SUNYAC team three times, All-Region twice, and was a two-time Second-Team All-American. In the classroom, Ackerman was named to the SUNYAC All-Academic team twice before earning a spot on the SUNYAC Academic Commissioner's list the next two seasons, and was an NFHCA National Academic Team member, CoSIDA Academic All-District and All-America selection. Following her senior season she became just the fifth SUNY New Paltz student-athlete to be named as a SUNY Chancellor's Award of Student Excellence recipient.

Ackerman ultimately graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a Master's Degree in Communication Disorders in 2017. She looked back at her time as a Hawk, talking about her experiences and why there is only one SUNY New Paltz. 

"There's only one SUNY New Paltz. To the few of us lucky enough to know the significance of those six words, New Paltz has become more than just a small place on the map. New Paltz serves as more than just a university — it is a community that embraces you no matter the length of your stay or the path of your journey.

There's only one university that continues to break barriers through the work ethic, drive, and passion of our athletes and coaches. There's only one place on the map I consider a second home — that continues to support and guide me from 121 miles away. There's only one place where you are surrounded by indescribable beauty — from nature and the unifying ridgeline of the gunks, to the people that give New Paltz its unique charm. There's only one place that defines community and pride — that is New Paltz."

For everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.