Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/28/15
From Press Release
Tewaaraton Award finalist Michelle Tumolo (Clearview Regional-NJ, Syracuse, Class of 2013) has returned to her alma mater to join Orange head women’s lacrosse coach Gary Gait’s coaching staff. Tumolo replaces Katie Rowan ’09, who is now the head coach at Wagner.
“We’re thrilled to have Michelle back,” Gait said. “After gaining invaluable experience at Florida, she’ll return to take over as recruiting coordinator and help coach the offense. We’re excited about the energy and passion she brings to the program as well as her winning attitude.”
Tumolo has spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at Florida, helping direct the Gators’ offense. Last season, Florida led the nation in scoring (15.52 ppg.) and goals with 326, which was the second-highest total in program history. In 2014, Tumolo helped guide Tewaaraton Award finalist Shannon Gilroy, who became the Gators’ first player to score 100 points in a season. Florida had the nation’s second-best scoring offense (15.00 ppg.) and ranked fifth in points (412) and fourth in scoring margin (6.57).
“I would like to thank the University of Florida, especially (head coach) Amanda O’Leary and (former assistant coach) Erica LaGrow for giving me two great years as I began my coaching career,” Tumolo said. “It is a dream of mine to coach at Syracuse and when presented with the opportunity, there was no way I could turn it down.”
Tumolo, who is currently a member of the U.S. National Team, is one of the most decorated players in Syracuse history. She was the IWLCA Attacker of the Year and a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award as a junior in 2012 when she ranked fifth in the country with a career-high 95 points. Tumolo earned IWLCA first-team All-America honors and was the BIG EAST Attack Player of the Year as well as a first-team all-conference selection. She was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team after leading the Orange to its first appearance in the national championship game.
Overall, Tumolo was a four-time All-BIG EAST First Team honoree and a three-time Northeast Region All-American. She became just the second player in school history to record 200 points, 100 goals and 100 assists in her career. Tumolo ranks fifth on Syracuse’s all-time scoring list with 278 points, despite having her senior season cut short due to a knee injury. She ranks second on the career assists list with 137 and is seventh in career goals with 141.
“There is nothing like coming back to your alma mater, alongside Gary Gait, Regy Thorpe, and the rest of the Syracuse lacrosse family,” Tumolo said. “This place gave me the best four years as a student-athlete, I can’t wait to give back and coach such tremendous lacrosse players. I look forward to being on the coaching side of things this time around, learning from the best the country has to offer. I am honored to share the sideline with Gary and Regy, two outstanding people who have made Syracuse women’s lacrosse what it is today. I am forever grateful for this opportunity, I can’t wait to get started! Go ‘Cuse!”
Tags: Clearview Regional
