SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Shippensburg University's Acting Director of Athletics Jeff Michaels announced on Thursday that former Millersville and Franklin & Marshall assistant Mia Gambino has been hired as the sixth women's lacrosse coach in program history, replacing Naomi Radio.
"It is a true honor to become the new lacrosse coach at Shippensburg," said Gambino, whose appointment begins July 1. "I want to thank Jeff Michaels and the entire athletics staff for giving me this opportunity. I can't wait to get on campus and meet the team."
A 2007 graduate of Millersville University, Gambino was a volunteer coach with the Marauders last season and is well acclimated to the style of play in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). As a player, she completed a four-year run with the Marauders in which she was an all-conference selection for three years.
"Spending four years as a player really helped me to get to know the style of play in the conference," Gambino said. "I think that this will be a great fit and I'm looking forward to jumping back into the PSAC."
Gambino spent the 2008 season as an assistant coach to Anne Phillips at Franklin & Marshall College. The Diplomats went 19-2 that season and made a return trip to the Division III Championships. Franklin & Marshall also won this year's Division III national championship under first-year head coach Lauren Paul.
A rugged and skilled defender, Gambino was an All-PSAC first-team choice in her final two seasons with the Marauders and was a Division II Academic All-American. She graduated from Millersville with an undergraduate degree in psychology and a minor in coaching. In August, Gambino will complete a master's degree from Millersville in sports management.
Courtesy: Franklin & Marshall College
Gambino was a captain for two seasons with the Marauders and was named to the 2006 IWLCA All-Region team. She led Millersville in groundballs during all four of her competitive seasons, totaling 156, while consistently ranking amongst the team leaders in caused turnovers. In 2006, Gambino ranked second in the PSAC for groundballs and caused turnovers.
She also boasts competitive playing experience at the international level. Following her graduation, Gambino was chosen to represent the United States of America in the American International Sports Team in Prague, Czech Republic, earning MVP of the Prague Cup.
Her playing success dates back to high school. A 2002 graduate of Pottsgrove High School, Gambino was a first-team All-Conference PAC-10 defender and was named first-team All-Area as a senior. She was also a club player for Phillips' CLC Coventry Club team that went on to win the 2000 Keystone State Games gold medal and the silver medal in 2001.
The 2009 campaign was the final season as head coach for three-year veteran Naomi Radio, an excellent leader and teacher for the Lady Raiders who guided the team to 21 victories during her tenure. Shippensburg made the PSAC Tournament in her first season with the club. Radio will concentrate her time with family, including husband Tim and son Noah.