SANBORN, N.Y. — The Niagara County Community College Athletic Department is pleased to welcome Melissa Graham as its head women’s soccer coach. Graham replaces Kathleen DiPasquale, who stepped down in January.
Melissa Graham named NCCC women’s soccer coach
“I’m excited for the opportunity to coach women’s soccer at NCCC,” Graham said. “My goal is to create an outstanding experience for the student-athletes that come through the program and one that they look back upon positively.”
Graham, an Orchard Park native, spent last season as an assistant coach at her alma mater Mount Mercy Academy in South Buffalo. She’s also the head lacrosse coach and an assistant basketball coach for the Magic. In addition to being a three-sport athlete at Mount Mercy, Graham was a basketball standout at SUNY Geneseo, earning SUNYAC Player of the Year and Division III All-American honors after her senior season. She was also honored with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for excellence as a student-athlete in 2013.
“We’re thrilled to have Melissa join the NCCC family,” athletics director Bob McKeown said. “She is a rising star in the coaching ranks and will do a great job with our women’s soccer program. More importantly, she’s a great role model for our student-athletes.”
The Thunderwolves are coming off a 2-14 season, but Graham is confident that things can be turned around relatively quickly.
“The program has a lot of room for growth and I am excited for the challenges,” she said. “I feel supported by the NCCC athletic department and believe there is no reason we cannot make big strides towards improvement starting this upcoming season.”
Graham graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a bachelor’s degree in biology and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University at Buffalo. She also works as a graduate assistant in the Hilbert College athletic department and an agricultural policy adviser in State Senator Patrick Gallivan’s office.
Filed under: Local Headlines
Tagged with: Melissa Graham, NCCC, Niagara County Community College Athletics, women's soccer
Sorry, comments are closed on this post.