TEMPE, Ariz. – Sun Devil Lacrosse Head Coach Tim McCormack announced the addition of former University of Rutgers assistant coach and 2016 Tewaaraton Award Finalist Nicole Graziano to the coaching staff on Wednesday afternoon.
Graziano comes to Arizona State after spending three seasons at the University of Rutgers, where she served as an assistant coach. She brings an impressive resume with her to Tempe, having gained experience at the highest level as both a coach and player.
"I am extremely excited to welcome Nicole to the Sun Devil Lacrosse family," Coach McCormack stated. "Her passion and energy for the game is second to none, and will immediately have a tremendous impact for us."
During her three years as part of the coaching staff at Rutgers, she assisted in all areas of the women's lacrosse program, including recruiting, coaching and developing student-athletes along with coordinating team travel. She specifically worked with the draw takers and offensive personnel in skill development and overall team concepts.
"I am honored and humbled to be the new assistant coach at Arizona State University," Coach Graziano remarked. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to build a nationally competitive program in Tempe."
She was a part of a quick turnaround in her first season on Head Coach Laura Brand Sias' staff, as the 2017 team improved their record by two wins from the previous year in the extremely competitive Big Ten Conference. During her time in charge of the offense, the Scarlet Knights reached double-digit goals 25 different times. Rutgers managed to knock off several nationally-prominent opponents during Graziano's tenure, most notably collecting wins over James Madison and Michigan.
"I would like to thank Coach McCormack and the administration for this amazing opportunity, and thank Laura Brand Sias for her mentorship over the past three years," Graziano said.
Graziano managed to recruit and had the opportunity coach several extremely talented players while in New Brunswick. This past season, midfielder Samantha Budd emerged and took home Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors (March 26th) while attacker freshman Marin Hartshorn twice was selected Big Ten Rookie of the Week. In addition, attacker Taralyn Naslonski and Samantha Budd were named to the Preseason Big Ten Conference Players to Watch prior to the 2019 season. During the 2018 season, Naslonski was a two-time Big Ten Rookie of the Week selection while Budd was tabbed as a Preseason Player to Watch in the conference.
While her background led her to mostly working with the attacking unit, Graziano brings plenty of knowledge in several aspects of the game, as she excelled in the midfield during her playing career at the University of Florida.
"Nicole brings great knowledge on both sides of the ball and will help us succeed in all areas," Coach McCormack added. "She is a great mentor for young women and will help create a winning culture."
While at the University of Florida from 2012-16, Graziano made an impact on the lacrosse program, leaving as one of the most decorated student-athletes in school history. A 2016 Tewaaraton Award finalist and Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-American, Graziano was among the top players in the nation during her five-year career. She was twice named All-Conference as well as being named the 2016 Big East Midfielder of the Year.
A model of consistency, Graziano tallied at least 21 points in all four seasons played at Florida. She saved her best season for last, as she finished with 44 goals and 17 assists (61 points), 31 ground balls, 22 caused turnovers, and 45 draw controls during a productive senior season in 2016. Her all-around dominance allowed her to become one of five finalists for the 2016 Tewaaraton Award, handed out to the best overall player in collegiate women's lacrosse. Considered a team leader, Graziano was a two-time captain at Florida.
Graziano continues to play the game at a high level, competing as a member of the New York Fight since 2018 in the Women's Professional Lacrosse League (WPLL). She was one of 36 players selected to train as part of the 2017 U.S. Women's Lacrosse National during their preparation for the 2017 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Women's World Cup.
Follow our social media accounts (@SunDevilWLax) and visit our website (thesundevils.com) throughout the offseason to keep up with your favorite Sun Devils and receive the latest updates on the program.
Graziano comes to Arizona State after spending three seasons at the University of Rutgers, where she served as an assistant coach. She brings an impressive resume with her to Tempe, having gained experience at the highest level as both a coach and player.
"I am extremely excited to welcome Nicole to the Sun Devil Lacrosse family," Coach McCormack stated. "Her passion and energy for the game is second to none, and will immediately have a tremendous impact for us."
During her three years as part of the coaching staff at Rutgers, she assisted in all areas of the women's lacrosse program, including recruiting, coaching and developing student-athletes along with coordinating team travel. She specifically worked with the draw takers and offensive personnel in skill development and overall team concepts.
"I am honored and humbled to be the new assistant coach at Arizona State University," Coach Graziano remarked. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to build a nationally competitive program in Tempe."
She was a part of a quick turnaround in her first season on Head Coach Laura Brand Sias' staff, as the 2017 team improved their record by two wins from the previous year in the extremely competitive Big Ten Conference. During her time in charge of the offense, the Scarlet Knights reached double-digit goals 25 different times. Rutgers managed to knock off several nationally-prominent opponents during Graziano's tenure, most notably collecting wins over James Madison and Michigan.
"I would like to thank Coach McCormack and the administration for this amazing opportunity, and thank Laura Brand Sias for her mentorship over the past three years," Graziano said.
Graziano managed to recruit and had the opportunity coach several extremely talented players while in New Brunswick. This past season, midfielder Samantha Budd emerged and took home Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors (March 26th) while attacker freshman Marin Hartshorn twice was selected Big Ten Rookie of the Week. In addition, attacker Taralyn Naslonski and Samantha Budd were named to the Preseason Big Ten Conference Players to Watch prior to the 2019 season. During the 2018 season, Naslonski was a two-time Big Ten Rookie of the Week selection while Budd was tabbed as a Preseason Player to Watch in the conference.
While her background led her to mostly working with the attacking unit, Graziano brings plenty of knowledge in several aspects of the game, as she excelled in the midfield during her playing career at the University of Florida.
"Nicole brings great knowledge on both sides of the ball and will help us succeed in all areas," Coach McCormack added. "She is a great mentor for young women and will help create a winning culture."
While at the University of Florida from 2012-16, Graziano made an impact on the lacrosse program, leaving as one of the most decorated student-athletes in school history. A 2016 Tewaaraton Award finalist and Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-American, Graziano was among the top players in the nation during her five-year career. She was twice named All-Conference as well as being named the 2016 Big East Midfielder of the Year.
A model of consistency, Graziano tallied at least 21 points in all four seasons played at Florida. She saved her best season for last, as she finished with 44 goals and 17 assists (61 points), 31 ground balls, 22 caused turnovers, and 45 draw controls during a productive senior season in 2016. Her all-around dominance allowed her to become one of five finalists for the 2016 Tewaaraton Award, handed out to the best overall player in collegiate women's lacrosse. Considered a team leader, Graziano was a two-time captain at Florida.
She was just as successful off the field as she was on it, being named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll four different times. The Mendham, N.J. native remained involved in many aspects of the Lacrosse community, working as a counselor for several lacrosse camps along the East Coast while playing at Florida. From 2010-16, she served as the head coach at STEPS Lacrosse in Chester, New Jersey, spending her summers mentoring young girls in women's lacrosse.Congrats to our Women's Finalists: Taylor Cummings, Nicole Graziano, Alice Mercer, Barbara Sullivan, Kayla Treanor pic.twitter.com/coyyhW3N3l
— Tewaaraton Award (@Tewaaraton) May 16, 2016
Graziano continues to play the game at a high level, competing as a member of the New York Fight since 2018 in the Women's Professional Lacrosse League (WPLL). She was one of 36 players selected to train as part of the 2017 U.S. Women's Lacrosse National during their preparation for the 2017 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Women's World Cup.
Graziano earned a master's degree in management at Florida in 2016 after completing her undergraduate studies in 2015 with a degree in sociology.Congrats to #RUWLAX assistants Nicole Graziano and Katie Hertsch, who were selected in Wednesday's WPLL Draft! https://t.co/BZePKUcl27 pic.twitter.com/sAsSH3DV60
— Rutgers Women's Lacrosse (@rutgers_wlax) August 24, 2017
Follow our social media accounts (@SunDevilWLax) and visit our website (thesundevils.com) throughout the offseason to keep up with your favorite Sun Devils and receive the latest updates on the program.