May 28, 2008
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IOWA CITY, IA – Lisa Cellucci has been named Associate Field Hockey Head Coach at the University of Iowa Athletics Department, the first in the storied program’s history. Cellucci has been a Hawkeye assistant coach for the last eight years and was a four-year starter for the Hawkeyes prior to her coaching career.
“Lisa has been a constant in the Iowa Field Hockey program for 12 years.” Head Coach Tracey Griesbaum said.
During her eight seasons on the sidelines for the Hawkeyes, she has helped the team to a 97-57 record, two Big Ten Tournament championships, a Big Ten regular season championship and three NCAA tournament appearances. Last season, Cellucci helped the Hawkeyes to a top five national ranking.
“I have never been around someone who is more dedicated and passionate, about what she does, than Lisa.” Griesbaum said. “Her devotion to Iowa is off the charts and it is what allows the program to stand apart from other schools around the country.”
Cellucci has helped coach nine all-Americans, 21 regional all-Americans, 20 all-Big Ten and 19 academic all-Big Ten athletes while at Iowa. Her expertise is tutoring goalkeepers. She trained one of the school’s best, Barb Weinberg. Under Cellucci’s watchful eye, Weinberg was named National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) first team all-American, a three time regional all-American, and a three time first team all-Big Ten selection while leading the team in saves all four years. Some of her other coaching responsibilities include helping to plan practices, devising team strategies, scouting opponents, individual coaching sessions, game editing and monitoring student athlete academic progress.
Her off the field responsibilities include being recruiting coordinator, Director of the Iowa Field Hockey Camp and the Hawkeye Field Hockey Camp, an NFHCA all-American Committee member. She is also the director and author of the Championship Productions Video-Goalkeeping Basics, Secrets for Success, an instruction video for goalkeepers.
“No matter what is asked of her, she delivers.” Griesbaum said. “As an alum of the institution, Lisa has taken it upon herself to drum up some serious Hawkeye pride every year. She helped our Iowa field hockey camp grow from 27 campers to 120 in one years time. As the camp director, she has also added two Hawkeye Field Hockey Camps in Pennsylvania. She is also the recruiting coordinator and we have been fortunate to sign numerous high school all-Americans under her leadership.”
On the national level, Cellucci has a great deal of experience. She has been on the Midwest High Performance Training Center coaching staff, which placed second at the 2005 and 2007 national championships and third in 2006. Cellucci has also been a coach at the 2000-04 United States Field Hockey Association (USFHA) B-Camp, 2003-05 USFHA A-Camp, 2005 Elite Team Trials and the 2006 Junior National Team Camp. As an assistant coach, Cellucci has seen time with the Under-16 National team (2002) and the Under-23 National team (2003-04).
Her first coaching position came in 1999 at James Madison University. She helped the Dukes to a second place finish in the Colonial Athletics Association Conference and a berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Before coaching, Cellucci was a standout goalkeeper for the Hawkeyes. She was a four year starter and team captain during her senior season. She guided the Hawkeyes to a Big Ten Tournament championship and the NCAA Final Four in 1994, a Big Ten regular season championship and the NCAA Elite Eight in 1995 and the Big Ten regular season championship and the NCAA Elite Eight in 1996.
Cellucci finished her career as a three time all-American, four time regional all-American, four time all-Big Ten selection and the Iowa’s all-time saves leader with 592. After her senior season, she was awarded with the University of Iowa Athletic Department’s all-Around Athlete Award.
“Her athletic ability in the goal helped Iowa achieve great success on the field during her playing days.” Griesbaum said.
Cellucci also had a great deal of playing experience on the national scene. She participated in the USFHA Summer League for five years, a participant at the A-Camp (1993-00), US Olympic Festival (1993-95), US Under-18 National team (1994), US Under-23 National Team (1997-1998), US Pan American Team alternative (1999), US National Team Tour of England (1999) and the US National Team (1999-2000).
“I look forward to working with Lisa once again this season as we look to add more victories to the already storied program that she is so much a part of,” Griesbaum said.
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