Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Camille Simmons
Susan Ciufo-Bennett Resigns as Temple Field Hockey Coach
8.4.21 | Field Hockey
PHILADELPHIA — Susan Ciufo-Bennett, who led Temple Field Hockey to 15 wins over her two seasons at the helm of the program, has resigned her position due to mental health and family reasons effective immediately. Michelle Vittese, who has served as Ciufo-Bennett's top assistant the past two seasons, has been elevated to interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
"Being the head coach of the Temple Field Hockey team has been a life transforming experience," said Ciufo-Bennett. "This team has proven that they are resilient and can break any barriers that are put in front of them. I am thankful for the opportunity given to me by the athletic department, my phenomenal staff and most importantly the student athletes I was so fortunate to coach that I can now call family."
In 2019, her first year at the helm of the Temple field hockey program, Ciufo-Bennett led the Owls to a 7-10 (2-5 Big East) record. Temple saw a 2-0 opening weekend for the first time since 2008 and recorded five more wins than the 2018 season. The Owls also snapped an 18-game losing streak in regular season conference play with a 2-1 OT win at Georgetown, earning their first Big East win since 2016.
Despite the challenging circumstances of playing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Owls continued their upward trajectory in the second year of the Ciufo-Bennett era. The team had one more win and doubled its conference victory total, ending the season with an 8-10 (4-8 BIG EAST) record. Temple also qualified for the BIG EAST Conference Tournament for the first time since 2016, earning the No. 4 seed.
"We want to thank Susan for her leadership of the Temple Field Hockey program over the past two years and we wish her and her family nothing but the best," said Acting Director of Athletics Fran Dunphy. "Moving forward the program is in great hands with current associate head coach Michelle Vittese taking over the reins for the 2021 season."
A three-time All-American at the University of Virginia, Vittese 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.
Besides her time at Temple, Vittese has gained coaching and administrative experience with the Spirit of USA club team based in New Jersey since 2012. She was responsible for coaching 200 athletes from ages 6-18, doing so while also playing for the USA until October of 2018.
"Being the head coach of the Temple Field Hockey team has been a life transforming experience," said Ciufo-Bennett. "This team has proven that they are resilient and can break any barriers that are put in front of them. I am thankful for the opportunity given to me by the athletic department, my phenomenal staff and most importantly the student athletes I was so fortunate to coach that I can now call family."
In 2019, her first year at the helm of the Temple field hockey program, Ciufo-Bennett led the Owls to a 7-10 (2-5 Big East) record. Temple saw a 2-0 opening weekend for the first time since 2008 and recorded five more wins than the 2018 season. The Owls also snapped an 18-game losing streak in regular season conference play with a 2-1 OT win at Georgetown, earning their first Big East win since 2016.
Despite the challenging circumstances of playing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Owls continued their upward trajectory in the second year of the Ciufo-Bennett era. The team had one more win and doubled its conference victory total, ending the season with an 8-10 (4-8 BIG EAST) record. Temple also qualified for the BIG EAST Conference Tournament for the first time since 2016, earning the No. 4 seed.
"We want to thank Susan for her leadership of the Temple Field Hockey program over the past two years and we wish her and her family nothing but the best," said Acting Director of Athletics Fran Dunphy. "Moving forward the program is in great hands with current associate head coach Michelle Vittese taking over the reins for the 2021 season."
A three-time All-American at the University of Virginia, Vittese 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.
Besides her time at Temple, Vittese has gained coaching and administrative experience with the Spirit of USA club team based in New Jersey since 2012. She was responsible for coaching 200 athletes from ages 6-18, doing so while also playing for the USA until October of 2018.
Ep. 4: Temple Athletics Weekly Recap; Men's Soccer Captain Lukas Egarter
Tuesday, September 16
Temple Men's Basketball | Babatunde Durodola Day In The Life
Saturday, September 13
Ep. 3: Temple Volleyball Head Coach Linda Hampton-Keith || Lacrosse Student-Athlete Jenna Facciolli
Friday, September 12
Ep. 2: Temple Football Alum Tyler Matakevich || Gymnastics Junior Amelia Budd
Friday, September 05
