Lucas Piccioli Joins Field Hockey Staff
May 07, 2012 | Field Hockey
May 7, 2012
University of Louisville head field hockey coach Justine Sowry has announced that Lucas Piccioli has joined her staff as an assistant coach.
"I am ecstatic to have Lucas join the Cardinal coaching staff," said Sowry. "In evaluating the program's priorities and looking for personnel to help us achieve our goals, it was important to find an individual who would be the right fit. I am thrilled we remained patient throughout the interview and hiring process and managed to find such a high quality coach whose expertise, skill set, and demeanor will complement the coaching staff and help to propel the program forward."
"It is an honor to become part of the University of Louisville," said Piccioli "To be associated with such a prosperous institution is an exciting opportunity. I am very thankful coach Sowry and the entire group of people who helped me through the process. I am very proud to be part of the Cards' family."
Piccioli makes the journey to Louisville from Dublin, Ireland where was an assistant coach for the Irish Women's National Team which reached its first Olympic Qualifier final in 2011. Additionally, he has served the Irish Hockey Association Eastern Development Officer from 2007-12 and was the Chair of the Irish Hockey Association's Coaching Development Panel from 2010-12. In that position, he was responsible for regional youth development and established the Transition Year Program and the Youth Leader Program. He was the head coach of the Corinthian Hockey Club from 2010-12.
In 2010, he was a selector and specialist coach for the U-21 Men's Irish National Team. While working with the Irish men's team, he served as a head coach consultant, focusing specifically on forwards.
Prior to his time in Ireland,, Piccioli was the head coach of the Venezuelan National Men's and Women's team from 2003-06 and served as the Venezuelan Field Hockey Federation Development Program Technical Director. He was also the head coach of the U16 Venezuelan National Team.
"Lucas brings vast international coaching and playing experience, extensive technical expertise, and a comprehensive understanding of how to utilize video technology in player and team development," said Sowry. "In addition, he brings energy, excitement, and a passion for the game that will help to foster a positive training environment. He has already made an impact and I believe he will be instrumental in helping us build a championship caliber program."
The Caracas, Venezuela native was a member of the Venezuelan National team from 1989-2006. He competed in the World Cup Qualifier (Canada,2004) and two Indoor World Cup Qualifiers (Canada, 2005 and USA, 2002). His other international tournaments included: the 1991 Pan American Games, the Central American and Caribbean Games, the South American Games, the U21 Pan American Games and the U21 Central Caribbean Games.
Piccioli played professionally from 1996-2004. He began his professional career in Italy where he suited up for the Sicily Division A1Club Team Giardina Naxos Hockey Club in from 1996-97. He went to spend the 2003 season in South Africa with the University of Durban Varsity Team in the Premiership League Club. Piccioli also played for the Honigvogel Hockey Club in Zaragoza Spain in 2004. He completed his playing career in the Corinthian Hockey Club in Leinster, Ireland.
The Qualified II level coach completed the IHA Tutor's Training course in 2008 and the High Performance Coaching course in 2007 - both in Dublin, Ireland.
