FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Courtesy of Mt. Ida Athletics Communications
NEWTON, Mass. – The athletic department of Mount Ida College extends a welcome to Brigida Palatino, who will be joining the staff as the Head Coach of the Mustangs' women's soccer program in the coming days.
Palatino was picked after an extensive search process and comes to Mount Ida after four seasons as the assistant coach at her alma mater, Connecticut College, who also compete at the Division III level and are members of the highly competitive New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).
"Brigida comes from a winning soccer program at Connecticut College and understands the process of rebuilding and creating a successful team. As both a former student-athlete and a coach, she has a tremendous grasp of the academic commitment that Division 3 student-athletes must make," said Athletic Director Matt Burke.
Palatino helped the Conn. College women's soccer program make history by winning the Camels' first team sport NESCAC championship in 2014, and the squad has since made two trips to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
On the club side of the spectrum, Palatino has long been involved with the Southeast Soccer Club in Connecticut, as the Head Coach of the club side since 2014. She has also directed players at Northeast 90 Soccer Camp, a Co-ed Indoor League, and Prospect Clinics and Soccer Camps ranging from Connecticut to Providence, to Hanover, N.H., as well as the Collegiate Soccer Academy at Lasell College this past summer.
"I am thankful for the opportunity and honored to be named the Women's Soccer Head Coach for Mount Ida, said Palatino. "The decision to become a Mustang was a natural fit. In line with the mission and philosophy of the college, my role is to prepare student-athletes to be successful on and off the field. From my experience and positive energy, I am excited to instill belief in the program in order to become competitive in the GNAC."
Palatino holds both a National and Advanced National Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), and also got her US Soccer Coaching Certificate National "E" license in 2013 at the Soccer Champion's Coaching Clinic in Uncasville, Connecticut.
A double Camel with a Bachelor of Arts from 2012 and a Masters of Psychology from 2016, Palatino double-majored in Psychology and Environmental Studies as an undergraduate and took home Dean's and High Honors, as well as earning All-Academic and National Psychology Honor Society accolades while playing four years of women's soccer for Conn. College. She appeared in 44 games for the Camels between 2008 and 2011 and scored ten goals and one assist.
Palatino will become the sixth Head Coach in the program's 18 season history. She takes over the reins from Greg Hagan, who spent the last five years at its helm.
"Brigida is the right person at the right time for our program," added Burke. "I am confident that she will build a soccer program that excels in the classroom, in the community and on the field of play."
"I am honored to lead the women's soccer team at Mount Ida to greatness," said Palatino. "Brick by brick, Mustang City will get bigger, stronger, and more successful!"