Cincinnati, Ohio – February 21, 2017 – Saint Ursula Academy is excited to announce it has named alumna Laura Napolitano ‘09 as Head Varsity Field Hockey Coach for the fall 2017 season.
Napolitano has extensive field hockey experience, as a player and a coach. She began her field hockey career as a freshman at Saint Ursula, and went on to play for four years at The Ohio State University. During her college career, her Buckeye team was talented, making it to the NCAA semi-finals and winning the Big Ten Conference during the 2010 season. She was captain her senior year, and throughout her time as a student-athlete, she coached at OSU’s Annual Field Hockey Camp, where she worked with individuals and teams to develop their skills.
After graduating from Ohio State in May 2013, she attended Villanova University for law school. Napolitano completed her law degree in May 2016, and began coaching Xavier University’s Club Field Hockey Team after returning to Cincinnati.
Now an attorney at Graydon, one of the most historic law firms in Cincinnati, Napolitano is interested in giving back to the school and the sport that has meant so much to her.
“I was very excited to accept this coaching opportunity at Saint Ursula Academy because I had an amazing experience as a student at SUA,” said Coach Napolitano. “I am so fortunate to work for a firm that values and encourages involvement in the community. If it wasn’t for the coaching I received at SUA in high school, I would not have been in a position to play in college. Being a student-athlete at Ohio State was one of best experiences of my life, and that would not have been possible without Saint Ursula.”
Napolitano has big goals for her Bulldogs in the upcoming 2017 season. “I know SUA has had success in previous years and I would like this team to be competitive in state in the upcoming season. I look forward to getting to know the returning players and then getting to work,” she said.
Athleticism runs in the Napolitano family. Laura’s sisters Angela ’06 and Maria ‘12 also played competitive sports in high school and college. Angela was a four-year student-athlete on the varsity soccer team at the University of Florida, and Maria continued her athletic career at Quinnipiac University, where she was a four-year student-athlete with the women’s varsity basketball program. “It’s just one more reason to take on this role,” said Napolitano. “My sisters and I were fortunate to have athletic success. But I think what is even more remarkable is how Saint Ursula contributed to our personal development as young women. As students at SUA, we were held to high standards, and the commitment to excellence we learned at Saint Ursula is something we have continued to carry with us.”
Saint Ursula Academy Athletic Director Mike Sipes said, “We are thrilled to add another alum to our coaching staff especially as a head coach. Laura will bring a new enthusiasm to the field hockey program and her great playing experience coupled with her understanding of the SUA community will be an invaluable asset.”
Coach Napolitano says she is anxious to get to work and added, “Saint Ursula is a special place. Being a part of the SUA community has meant so much to my family, and I am so appreciative of the opportunity to return to Saint Ursula in this role. I’m looking forward to giving back to the school and community that has given me so much. And I think my parents are just as excited to be back in the stands cheering on the Bulldogs!”
Saint Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women known for academic excellence and rich tradition. Saint Ursula welcomes students from more than 80 grade schools in the Greater Cincinnati area. The Academy is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910. 86% of the Class of 2016 earned college scholarships totaling more than $22-million.
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