Consolmagno Joins Rutgers Softball Staff
Aug 02 | Softball
PISCATAWAY, NJ - Rutgers softball first-year head coach Jay Nelson has announced that Diana Consolmagno will join his staff as an assistant coach. Consolmagno was a four-year captain at the University of Wisconsin and joins the Scarlet Knights with several years of coaching experience already under her belt.
'Diana is the personification of the excitement level we plan to bring to the Scarlet Knight softball program,' said Nelson. 'When Diana was a young recruit on the NY/NJ Beach Girls travel ball team, I watched her take charge of her team both on and off the field. Her enthusiasm for the game is contagious and her no-nonsense approach is a major ingredient for winning. Diana is the perfect fit for our coaching staff. She is young, energetic and someone our team members can learn from and relate to as a role model.'
Consolmagno was a member of several successful Wisconsin teams. In 2001 and 2002, Wisconsin qualified for the NCAA Tournament and had the best finish in the Big Ten Conference. Consolmagno also won numerous awards during her collegiate career. She received the Badger Pride Award and the Coach's Award, and was named the Most Inspirational Player as well as the Freshman of the Year.
'I am grateful to have been awarded this position,' said Consolmagno. 'I look forward to becoming part of the Scarlet Knight tradition, and I can't wait to build a professional camaraderie with the team and my fellow coaches.'
In addition to her collegiate playing career, Consolmagno was a four-year member of the NY/NJ Beach Girls Gold Travel Organization where she was a Gold Nationals Participant. She also played in the University of Hawaii Invitational Softball Tournament, where was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Consolmagno also has significant coaching experience. As a graduate assistant at the College of Staten Island from 2004-2006, she was the hitting, outfield, and strength and conditioning coach. During her tenure, Staten Island reached two CUNY championships and qualified for two NCAA Division III Tournaments.
In addition, Consolmagno was a hitting, fielding, and strength and conditioning instructor at the Jim Agnello Baseball Academy where she worked with players on their hitting skills and organized group clinics. She has also coached teams in the New York Panthers Travel Softball Organization for over six years.
Consolmagno received her bachelor of science degree in human ecology-child development and family studies from the University of Wisconsin in 2004. She is scheduled to receive her master's degree in special education from the College of Staten Island this August.
