MOUNT ALOYSIUS TABS O'LEARY TO LEAD WOMEN'S LACROSSE PROGRAM

Mount Aloysius College Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Jane Grassadonia has announced that Danielle O'Leary has been named the Head Coach of the College's first-ever Mount Aloysius Women's Lacrosse program.

O'Leary joins Mount Aloysius from Hollins University in Roanoke, Va. where she was the head lacrosse coach for the past six years. O'Leary ran all facets of the Lacrosse program at Hollins including recruiting, scouting and game management. O'Leary's holistic approach to collegiate-level coaching fits in well with the Mount Aloysius coaching philosophy; her lacrosse teams performed well both on the field and in the classroom. Twice O'Leary's teams were named to the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Association Honor Squad for having a complete team GPA over 3.0.

While at Hollins, O'Leary also served as the Senior Woman Administrator; a role that she will continue at Mount Aloysius. She was the chairperson for the school's Chi Alpha Sigma Athletics Honor Society, which saw a 50 percent increase in inductees during her tenure. O'Leary also spent one year coaching Valley Select Lacrosse, a Roanoke area travel lacrosse team.

A 2010 graduate of New England College, O'Leary was a two-sport performer for the Pilgrims. She was a defensive standout for their women's lacrosse team, starting in 61 of her teams 66 games during her four-year career. Along with her lacrosse career, O'Leary also was a four-year member and regular contributor of the Women's Hockey team at NEC. As a senior, O'Leary was recognized for her contributions on the athletic field and in the classroom. She was team captain for lacrosse and was named the 2010 New England College Female Student Athlete of the Year.

O'Leary holds a Bachelor's degree from New England College and a Master's degree from Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y., both in Physical Education.

Mount Aloysius College is spending the summer months revamping its soccer pitch to accommodate the new sport. The work will include turfing the entire field, adding lighting and installing stands. Women's Lacrosse is the 15^th NCAA Division III sport featured at the Cresson-based College. In addition to lacrosse, Mount Aloysius student-athletes also compete in men's and women's soccer, basketball, cross-country, golf and tennis. Other sports include women's bowling, softball and volleyball.