Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell's Jess Spadafora Honored by Nanuet High School
2/8/2005 7:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Feb. 8, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell head women's lacrosse coach Jess Spadafora thought she was returning to her alma mater, Nanuet (N.Y.) High School, on Friday to make a speech honoring her former coach, Karen Leitner. Instead, the tables were turned, and Spadafora was stunned to be presented an award of her own.
Sponsored by the Nanuet Black & Gold Club, in conjunction with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Spadafora was recognized for her "positive influence in women's sports."
"I was completely shocked and humbled to receive such a special honor," said Spadafora. "They sure did catch me by surprise, but the event brought back so many wonderful memories from my days in Nanuet. To be considered a positive role model is very special to me, and it is a major reason why I chose to be part of the coaching profession. It was amazing to see everyone piled in the gym to honor me, all the same faces that cheered me on all through high school. Being there with my family, friends, teammates and fans, it was just unbelievable."
Hired in August to lead the Bison women's lacrosse program, Spadafora had never picked up a lacrosse stick until her sophomore year in high school. But Leitner convinced her to try out for the lacrosse team, and Spadafora became a star first at Nanuet, then at the University of Albany, where she became the school's all-time leading scorer.
Spadafora, who also played soccer and basketball in high school, broke into the coaching ranks as an assistant at Manhattan College, then in 2003 landed her first head coaching gig at Randolph-Macon College. This spring she will guide a Bucknell squad that has qualified for the Patriot League Tournament in each of the last two seasons.
The Bison open the 2005 season at Longwood on Sunday, Feb. 27, at 1 p.m.
