University of Massachusets Athletics
Messina Joins Softball Staff As Assistant Coach
July 15, 2019 | Softball
Laura Messina spent lhe 2019 season at UConn after a year in the Atlantic 10 at Fordham as an assistant.
AMHERST, Mass. – Head Coach Kristi Stefanoni announced the addition of Laura Messina to the University of Massachusetts softball staff on Monday afternoon. Messina joins the Minutewomen after spending the 2019 season at UConn after a year in the Atlantic 10 at Fordham.
"I am so excited and honored to join the great coaching staff here at UMass," said Messina. "I want to thank Coach Stefanoni and the rest of the UMass athletic department for this opportunity. I can't wait to get started and be a part of the winning tradition that UMass softball is known for."
Messina began her collegiate coaching career at Rutgers, where she spent two seasons as a graduate assistant and pitching coach on the Knights' staff after wrapping up a four-year career at Central Connecticut State. During her playing career, Messina led the Blue Devils to NEC Tournament Championships in 2013 and 2015 to earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The 2014 NEC Pitcher of the Year finished her career with a program-record 100 wins to go along with top career marks in strikeouts, innings pitched and complete games. In 2015, she was named to the USA Softball's Top 50 Watch List for the Collegiate Player of the Year Award.
"We couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Laura into our UMass softball family," said Stefanoni. "Her competitiveness and desire to help this program reach its highest potential will fit in great with our players and coaching staff. She brings knowledge and experience that will not only help out pitchers and catchers, but the entire team as well."
The Marlton, N.J. native graduated with a Master's Degree in Liberal Studies from Rutgers in 2017 and earned her undergraduate degree from Central Connecticut State in 2015.
For complete coverage of the UMass softball team, follow the Minutewomen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassSoftball and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
"I am so excited and honored to join the great coaching staff here at UMass," said Messina. "I want to thank Coach Stefanoni and the rest of the UMass athletic department for this opportunity. I can't wait to get started and be a part of the winning tradition that UMass softball is known for."
Messina began her collegiate coaching career at Rutgers, where she spent two seasons as a graduate assistant and pitching coach on the Knights' staff after wrapping up a four-year career at Central Connecticut State. During her playing career, Messina led the Blue Devils to NEC Tournament Championships in 2013 and 2015 to earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The 2014 NEC Pitcher of the Year finished her career with a program-record 100 wins to go along with top career marks in strikeouts, innings pitched and complete games. In 2015, she was named to the USA Softball's Top 50 Watch List for the Collegiate Player of the Year Award.
"We couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Laura into our UMass softball family," said Stefanoni. "Her competitiveness and desire to help this program reach its highest potential will fit in great with our players and coaching staff. She brings knowledge and experience that will not only help out pitchers and catchers, but the entire team as well."
The Marlton, N.J. native graduated with a Master's Degree in Liberal Studies from Rutgers in 2017 and earned her undergraduate degree from Central Connecticut State in 2015.
For complete coverage of the UMass softball team, follow the Minutewomen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassSoftball and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
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