July 27, 2007

BEVERLY, MA - Endicott College Director of Athletics Larry Hiser has announced the hiring of Jodi Cipolla as the new head field hockey coach effective August 10th. Cipolla comes to Endicott having served as the graduate assistant at Division II Kutztown University of Pennsylvania for the past three seasons.

Cipolla began her playing career at Kutztown where she was a standout four-year varsity letter winner and an All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference selection. In her senior season with the Golden Bears, Cipolla was named team captain and team MVP while being voted to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association North/South All-Star team.

Following a brief stint as the assistant field hockey and women's lacrosse coach at Nichols College, Jodi returned to her alma mata to serve as a graduate assistant while working towards a Masters Degree in higher education administration. Upon returning to Kutztown, Cipolla helped lead the team to a 14-6 record after four consecutive losing seasons. The following year, 2005, the Golden Bears boasted the nation's top ranked defense in all of Division II. In three seasons on the sidelines for Kutztown University, Cipolla has compiled an impressive 39-22 overall record in the always competitive PSAC.

Cipolla has also helped the team improve in the classroom as her players logged a cumulative 3.32 team GPA in 2005, the second highest in all of Division II. The NFHCA honored Kutztown again last season as the team posted a 3.31 GPA, the third best in the nation. Cipolla has also been credited with great recruiting success as she has helped bring in a PSAC Rookie of the Year, two All-Americans, three All-PSAC selections, and a number of PSAC Scholar-Athletes and Academic All-Americans.

"Jodi comes to us with great experience," said Hiser. "Not only has she proven herself as a coach, but has also had important administrative responsibilities. Jodi will be a great addition to our team of coaches here at EC."