Lizzi Named CRCA Asst. Coach of the Year

May 21, 2008

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - University of Rhode Island assistant rowing coach Jessica Lizzi has been named Asst. Coach of the Year - New England Region by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA). In her second season at URI, Lizzi helped the Rams earn capture their first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship.

The Assistant Coach of the Year award is designed to recognize an assistant coach or associate head coach who meets one or more of the following criteria: Outstanding commitment to his/her program, made a significant impact on the success of his/her program and demonstrated a high level of professionalism and integrity as a coach.

A standout coxswain at Rutgers University who previously coached at Northeastern, Boston University, and Rutgers, Lizzi led the Scarlet Knights to the 1997 Big East title and helped the squad earn a spot in the inaugural NCAA Championship. She also served as her team's captain and was awarded Most Valuable Athlete for the 1996-97 season. Lizzi graduated from Rutgers in 1997 with a degree in exercise science and a concentration in cardiac care, before earning her master's in public administration from Northeastern in 2002.

Lizzi is now eligible to win the National Asst. Coach of the Year Award, which will be voted on in June.