Raffo Earns Promotion After Two Years as Assistant
TOWSON, Md. — Whitney Raffo sufficiently impressed her superiors during her two seasons as an assistant coach with Goucher College's field hockey program that she was offered the head position when it became open following the recently completed 2010 campaign. The 2008 graduate of the University of Iowa quickly accepted the offer and has been appointed head coach on an interim basis, it was announced today by Director of Athletics Geoffrey Miller.
Goucher's 8th Field Hockey Coach Since NCAA Affiliation
TOWSON, Md. — Whitney Raffo sufficiently impressed her superiors during her two seasons as an assistant coach with Goucher College's field hockey program that she was offered the head position when it became open following the recently completed 2010 campaign. The 2008 graduate of the University of Iowa quickly accepted the offer and has been appointed head coach on an interim basis, it was announced today by Director of Athletics Geoffrey Miller.
"We are delighted to be able to turn to someone as capable and enthusiastic as Whitney Raffo to be our next head field hockey coach," Miller said. "The young ladies on the team have always responded to her exceptionally well, and they all talk about her ability to teach the game and improve individual skills.
"Whitney is truly passionate about field hockey. In addition, she has gained a great deal of experience as a recruiter working for us the past 18 months. Equally as important, Whitney has command of the off-field aspects of coaching, including the recruitment of high-character student-athletes who will excel athletically and academically, and will also represent Goucher in a positive manner on campus. With her leadership, maturity and communication skills, our field hockey program will be in great hands in the years to come."
Raffo is succeeding Warren Prestwich, who notified school authorities in November that he would not be returning for a sixth season. She was an exceptional field hockey player at Chatham (N.J.) High School who went on to play at Iowa where she was a member of the Big Ten Conference championship team in 2005.
"I am honored that Mr. Miller has the confidence in me to take over a program that has such a distinguished history," said Raffo. "Even though we've only just completed our season, I'm excited about preparing for next year. We have some outstanding players coming back and are expecting to add some very talented recruits."
Raffo becomes the eighth person to serve as head field hockey coach at Goucher since the school joined the NCAA in 1987.