DOYLESTOWN (Pa.) – Delaware Valley University Director of Athletics David Duda announced on Monday that 2017 graduate and former field hockey standout Stefania Swider has been named the eighth head coach in DelVal field hockey history.
"We are excited to welcome Stefania back to DelVal and look forward to her building upon the foundation that Carol DiGirolamo built through the years," said Duda. "Stefania brings great passion and work ethic to the position, and has a defined vision for the future of the program."
Swider rejoins her alma mater after a stint as Head Field Hockey Coach at Bridgewater-Raritan High School in New Jersey and. After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing, Swider pursued her graduate degree at DelVal and worked as an assistant coach under her predecessor Carol DiGirolamo.
DiGirolamo recently announced her retirement from coaching and was promoted to Associate Director of Athletics earlier this month.
Swider also held a head coach position at Total Dutch Field Hockey in Somerset, New Jersey for three yeah where she trained year-round tournament teams, led over 300 hours of small group and individual training sessions, and helped guide players in the college recruiting process. She also served as assistant varsity coach at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
From 2015-18, Swider was a head coach at FSC Club in Warrington, Pennsylvania and coached her team to the U19 National Indoor Tournament in 2017.
During her playing days with the Aggies, Swider was a four-year starter on defense and served as team captain in 2016. She was twice named the team's defender of the year and earned a spot on the MAC All-Sportsmanship team her senior year.
"I am enthusiastic to have the opportunity to re-enter the program, and I look forward to representing my alma mater once again," said Swider. "I am extremely grateful for Carol DiGirolamo who cultivated my pride and love for this program from the day I got here. I especially want to thank my family, and all the amazing mentors and supporters that have helped me during this journey. I intend to carry on the passion and energy that this program has maintained for many years. The saying after we graduate, 'Once an Aggie always an Aggie', has never felt more appropriate. I look forward to working alongside an amazing athletics staff and the DelVal faculty. Go Aggies!"
