Stony Brook Adds Two New Assistants To Women’s Lacrosse Coaching Staff
Stony Brook – Stony Brook head women’s lacrosse coach Joe Spallina has announced the hiring of two assistant coaches to complete his staff for the upcoming 2017 season, as the Seawolves have added Kim Hillier as associate head coach and Trish Bonagura as assistant coach.
Hillier, who was a member of Spallina’s staff in the Stony Brook head coach’s first season with the Seawolves in 2012, returns to Stony Brook after spending the last four seasons at Boston University. The Terriers advanced to the Patriot League semifinals in all three years in the conference, along with a Patriot League title game appearance in 2014.
Prior to her first stint with the Seawolves, Hillier spent three years on the staff at LIU Brooklyn. Hillier is a Farmingdale native and 2007 graduate of Hofstra, where she was a two-time All-American and four-time All-CAA selection.
“I am extremely honored to be back on Long Island and to have the opportunity to coach a nationally ranked program,” Hillier said. “I look forward to using my passion for the game to help prepare each student-athlete to excel above and beyond their ability, both on and off the field. I am eager to be back, coaching alongside Joe, who is hands down one of the best coaches in the game.”
“I am very excited to welcome Kim back to Stony Brook,” Spallina said. “She is a great coach that brings unparalleled energy and fire every day. She was instrumental in recruiting our current senior class and is a relentless worker that
is a proven winner on and off the field.”
“Kim’s great Long Island ties, work ethic and appreciation for the growth of our program were big factors in welcoming Kim back to Long Island as our associate head coach,” Spallina added.
Bonagura spent the last three years as the head coach at Whittier College in Southern California after two years at the helm at Queens College. The winningest coach in Queens College’s history, Bonagura returns to the East Coast for the 2017 season.
Prior to her time as a head coach, Bonagura was an assistant at Queens College from 2009-11 after time at Molloy and LIU Post.
The Rockville Centre native was a two-sport athlete at LIU Post and is a member of the Pioneers’ athletics Hall of Fame. Bonagura won a Division II national title as a freshman in 2001 and was twice the Division II national points per game leader (2003, 2004).
“I am both honored and excited to join the women’s lacrosse staff here at Stony Brook,” Bonagura said. “I want to thank Joe Spallina and the rest of the athletic department for this amazing opportunity. I feel privileged to be awarded the chance to coach and follow my passion back on Long Island, the place I call home. I look forward to learning from one of the best coaches in the country while contributing my knowledge and experience as a coach and player of the game.”
“Trish brings a wealth of experience and success to this program,” Spallina said. “She had a storied playing career and has had great experience as a
head coach. To be able to add someone like Trish to our staff is so
important to where our team is positioned.”
The Seawolves will announce their 2017 schedule later this fall in pursuit of their fifth-consecutive America East title.
Photo: Dept. of Athletics-Stony Brook University | Kim Hillier (Left) and Trish Bonagura have joined head coach Joe Spallina’s staff at Stony Brook University.
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