Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/22/25 – From Press Release
At 56 years old, a South Jersey mom, lifelong athlete, and dedicated educator and coach is proving that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
Dianna Eberl, a former great at Moorestown High (1987) and Rowan University who teaches Health and Physical Education at Vinceland, has spent her life inspiring young people to stay active, take chances, and believe in themselves.
Now, Eberl is leading by example once again: raising funds to travel to Japan, where she will play lacrosse alongside her daughter in an international tournament.
Eberl’s passion for lacrosse began in the 7th grade, and she quickly became a standout athlete. During her years at Rowan University, she earned four records as a goalie, showcasing the drive and talent that would define her athletic journey. Later, she coached at the high school, club, and college levels, while serving as a director of major lacrosse tournaments.
But dreams don’t expire. Four years ago, at 52, Eberl took on a challenge many half her age wouldn’t attempt — she trained for and became a certified lifeguard. It was a personal milestone that reminded her that any goal is achievable with enough heart.
Now, her next adventure is even more meaningful: joining her daughter, Ahnika, on the lacrosse field in Japan where team Halo-Halo (a mix of players from around the globe) will compete in the Okinawa Open. The opportunity represents not only a return to the sport Dianna loves but a once-in-a-lifetime moment for a mother and daughter, who recently graduated from Virginia Commonwealth, where she also played goalie, to compete side-by-side on an international stage.
To help make the trip possible, Dianna is launching a community fundraising effort and inviting supporters across South Jersey and beyond to contribute.
“This is about more than lacrosse,” Eberl says. “It’s about showing my students, my own children, and anyone watching that your passions don’t have to fade as you get older. You can reinvent yourself. You can take risks. You can still chase your childhood dreams.”
Eberl hopes her story will inspire others to pick up the hobbies they once loved, try something new, or simply believe that it’s never too late to pursue the life they imagine.
