BREVARD, N.C. – Diana Loaiza has been named Assistant Coach for the Brevard College Women's Lacrosse program, announced BC Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Kristin Rosato.
"I am thrilled that Diana will be sticking around Brevard and continuing to grow the women's lacrosse program," said Rosato. "Diana is loyal, hardworking, and caring. These are the traits that she must continue to lean on as she transitions into her new role. I have no doubt she will do a great job."
Loaiza is a 2020 graduate of Brevard College after playing four years as a key member of the Tornados women's lacrosse team. This past semester, she participated in significant NCAA programs to help position her for a career in college athletics.
"I am very excited to be returning to Brevard College," said Loaiza. "I enjoyed and loved my four years so much at Brevard that I feel extremely lucky to be able to return, especially to a program that has taught me so much. I'm excited to learn from Head Coach Kristin Rosato and the athletics department to gain more insight about succeeding in a career in athletics."
In January, Loaiza was selected as one of just 40 student-athletes from throughout the nation to participate in the 2020 NCAA Division III Student Immersion program held in conjunction with the annual NCAA Convention in Anaheim, California. The program, designed for ethnic minority student-athletes pursuing a career in NCAA Division III coaching or athletics administration, provided Loaiza with the opportunity to experience a magnitude of programming and relationship building within college athletics.
In May, Loaiza was one of 400 college student-athletes across all divisions to participate in the NCAA's Career in Sports Forum. At the event, held virtually for the first time, Loaiza was exposed to learnings from industry leaders while gaining insight on how to best chart a career in college sports.
On the field, Loaiza was a key member of the Tornado defense through her four years at Brevard, appearing in 46 games while making 39 starts for the BC women's lacrosse team. Over the course of her collegiate career, Loaiza logged 28 ground balls, won a pair of draw controls, and caused 15 turnovers. The defender snagged a career-best 14 ground balls in the 2019 season while causing a career-high six turnovers in 2018, as Loaiza was well on her way to career-numbers through the first four contests of her senior season.
In her senior season, Loaiza was a key factor in BC's 19-8 victory over Johnson & Wales (Denver), grabbing a career-high four ground balls in the triumph.
Off the field, Loaiza served the campus community as Treasurer of the Life Club and as a Peer Mentor at Brevard College, while also working as a Department of Athletics work-study to gain experience relevant to her future career.
A native of Greenville, South Carolina, and an alumna of Wade Hampton High School, Loaiza graduated from Brevard College in the Spring 2020 with a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Coaching.
Loaiza replaces Tempestt Smith as Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach at Brevard College. Smith, a 2017 Brevard College alumna, spent three seasons as Head Coach Rosato's top assistant after serving as a student assistant during the 2017 campaign.
"I would like to thank Tempestt for all of her hard work and dedication to the program," said Rosato. "It was an honor to be her coach and I really enjoyed the opportunity to mentor her these past three years. I wish Tempestt nothing but success and I look forward to continuing to work with her as a member of our alumni."
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