Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Terri Batze
Michelle Vittese Promoted to Associate Head Coach
12.6.19 | Field Hockey
PHILADELPHIA - Temple field hockey Head Coach Susan Ciufo announced the promotion of Michelle Vittese to Associate Head Coach Friday afternoon.
Bringing an impressive background of international playing experience at the highest levels, Vittese joined Temple field hockey's staff as an assistant coach in March 2019.
Vittese, a three-time All-American at the University of Virginia, had an eight-year career with the United States Women's National Field Hockey Team. She played in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics and earned a total of 211 international caps.
Since 2012, Vittese has gained coaching and administrative experience with the Spirit of USA club team based in New Jersey. She was responsible for coaching 200 athletes from ages 6-18, doing so while also playing for the USA until October of 2018.
Field hockey is a family affair for Vittese and her younger sisters, Carissa and Tara, who both also played at UVA. Carissa was a graduate assistant/director of operations for Temple from 2015-17. She joined her older sister on the US National Team in 2017-18. Tara, the youngest sister, was also on the US National Team and is the only player to ever earn Longstreth/NFHCA National Player of the Year honors three times while she played at UVA.
Internationally, Vittese won four gold medals with Team USA including two golds at Pan American Games in 2011 and 2015.
"When reflecting on the past nine months that Michelle has been with our program, it was easy to see the massive impact she has had on myself, our team, and our community," Ciufo said. "Her work ethic is what makes her stand out among the rest. From the start, Michelle has shown her true passion for for this sport and for developing our young women as students, athletes, and most importantly people. Her knowledge of the game is proven on a daily basis and her loyalty is something I have an immense amount of respect for. Moving Michelle into this position and sharing this program was a no-brainer."
Vittese, a native of Cherry Hill, N.J., graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor's degree in history in 2013.
Bringing an impressive background of international playing experience at the highest levels, Vittese joined Temple field hockey's staff as an assistant coach in March 2019.
Vittese, a three-time All-American at the University of Virginia, had an eight-year career with the United States Women's National Field Hockey Team. She played in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics and earned a total of 211 international caps.
Since 2012, Vittese has gained coaching and administrative experience with the Spirit of USA club team based in New Jersey. She was responsible for coaching 200 athletes from ages 6-18, doing so while also playing for the USA until October of 2018.
Field hockey is a family affair for Vittese and her younger sisters, Carissa and Tara, who both also played at UVA. Carissa was a graduate assistant/director of operations for Temple from 2015-17. She joined her older sister on the US National Team in 2017-18. Tara, the youngest sister, was also on the US National Team and is the only player to ever earn Longstreth/NFHCA National Player of the Year honors three times while she played at UVA.
Internationally, Vittese won four gold medals with Team USA including two golds at Pan American Games in 2011 and 2015.
"When reflecting on the past nine months that Michelle has been with our program, it was easy to see the massive impact she has had on myself, our team, and our community," Ciufo said. "Her work ethic is what makes her stand out among the rest. From the start, Michelle has shown her true passion for for this sport and for developing our young women as students, athletes, and most importantly people. Her knowledge of the game is proven on a daily basis and her loyalty is something I have an immense amount of respect for. Moving Michelle into this position and sharing this program was a no-brainer."
Vittese, a native of Cherry Hill, N.J., graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor's degree in history in 2013.
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