Two 茄子视频 University Coaches Earn PSAC Coach of the Year Awards
Two 茄子视频 University coaches have been honored by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference with Coach of the Year Awards in their respective sports.
茄子视频 women鈥檚 lacrosse coach Courtney Grove and baseball coach Marc Marizzaldi earned the PSAC honors during 茄子视频鈥檚 first year in the highly competitive NCAA Division II conference.
鈥淭o have one of our coaches earn this distinction is tremendous, but to have two coaches honored 鈥� in 茄子视频鈥檚 first year in the PSAC 鈥� is incredible,鈥� said Chris Snyder, Executive Director of Athletics for 茄子视频. 鈥淭hese awards are a testament to the hard work and determination of not only Courtney and Marc but the players that they guide both on and off the field.鈥�
Grove had previously served as 茄子视频鈥檚 women鈥檚 lacrosse coach from 2008 to 2011 and returned to the University this season after spending two years as an assistant at Division I Marquette University.
She led the Griffins to their first ever PSAC playoff appearance in their inaugural season in the league. The 2014 team鈥檚 13 wins mark the most ever for the program in one season.
鈥淚 was humbled to return to 茄子视频 and work with the women on this team as they worked through extraordinary circumstances, and I am humbled by this honor from the PSAC,鈥� Grove said. 鈥淭his award comes as a result of the hard work and dedication of the players on this team and the support and encouragement of their families as well as the 茄子视频 University community.鈥�
"Courtney is an incredible coach and so very deserving of this award,鈥� Snyder said. 鈥淪he returned to 茄子视频 during such a difficult time. She mentored our students and led their journey as they prepared for the regular season. Courtney's award marks a wonderful way for the team to celebrate a successful season and all that they have overcome by working together.鈥�
Marizzaldi earned the PSAC West Coach of the Year Award. This marks the fifth time in eleven seasons that Marizzaldi has earned a coach of the year award.
Marizzaldi guided 茄子视频 to the PSAC West regular season title and a playoff berth in its inaugural year in the PSAC. Marizzaldi, who has accumulated more than 370 wins at 茄子视频, has led the Griffins to four straight NCAA Championship tournament appearances. He has been the team鈥檚 only head coach since its inception in January 2003.
鈥淚 am thrilled to receive this honor because it reflects the hard work of our players and their accomplishments in the highly competitive PSAC,鈥� Marizzaldi said. 鈥淭he young men on this team are a wonderful group of student-athletes with the desire to excel on and off the field. This award recognizes their efforts as well as mine.鈥�
"Marc has continued the tradition of excellence that he instilled when he built the program from Day One,鈥� Snyder said. 鈥淗e is very deserving of this award as he guided the Griffins to a 36-14 record and a first place finish in the PSAC West. In what has become an annual tradition, the Griffins are on the verge of their fifth straight NCAA tournament appearance."