MILTON, Mass. – Curry College Athletics has announced the implementation of the Summer Spotlight series, which will feature profiles of returning student-athletes and coaches across the Colonels' 14 NCAA Division III programs.
We continue the series with Brigida Palatino, the Head Coach of our women's soccer program and Senior Woman Administrator:
Hometown: Ludlow, Mass.
Where did you go to college? Connecticut College
How many years have you been at Curry? Two
What was your path to end up at Curry? The stars magically aligned for me to call Curry my home. After the closure of Mount Ida College, I was blessed to have been taken in by the Colonel Community. Coincidently, I have an affinity for "CCC" going from my alma mater the "Connecticut College Camels" to now the "Curry College Colonels"... it was meant to be.
What do you love about working at Curry? I love my Troop soccer family!
What are some of your hobbies outside of the office? Anything active!!! Playing soccer, hiking, kayaking, running, gardening etc. I also love to cook and bake!
How do you enhance the student-athlete experience for your team and/or department? We do a lot of team bonding like our famous lip sync challenge, hiking Blue Hills, scavenger hunts, yoga, kickboxing, memories with our Team IMPACT player, training with our super cool real live marines, and more. We are very active on campus in helping with Consent Day, Relay for Life, Fresh Check Mental Health Awareness and more. Additionally, we connect with a lot of different departments on campus. To name a few: Jeannette Buntin in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Rachel King, our campus Title IX Coordinator, Devon Corbett, our Wellness Coordinator, and more! #extendedtroopfamily
What do you look for a student-athlete when recruiting? We look for Colonel grit! The commitment and drive to never give up and always keep fighting. We might get knocked down, but we always get back up!
How have you stayed in contact with your team and recruits during the pandemic? The troop and future Colonels love my weekly "walk and talks"! I would call each player from our troop family and future recruits each week during my walks through my neighborhood. We also had virtual fitness Zoom sessions, a conversation with Simone Charley of the Portland Thorns from the National Women's Soccer League, a scavenger hunt with our Team IMPACT player and more!
Has the pandemic affected your recruiting effort? If so, please explain? Although we were unable to watch future Colonels live at college showcases, we have increased our social media so that recruits know what it is like to be part of our troop family.
What have you personally been doing during the pandemic? I'm training for a half marathon (not signed up for one but when there is one, I will be ready!). Also, a lot of house projects, yard work, cooking, and baking!
What is the first thing you are going to do when allowed back on campus? Make my rounds and check in on everyone I have missed interacting with in person!
Do you have any major coaching influences? Norm Riker of Connecticut College and Tania Armellino of SUNY Plattsburgh... They are my idols. Also Pep Guardiola for his style of play and his creations of a family team atmosphere.
What is your favorite about coaching? Is it the teaching, being on your playing surface, or interacting with student-athletes? My favorite thing about coaching (in addition to earning a championship ring) is creating a family atmosphere and positive team culture. Our troop has a strong foundation to build upon and we do so by developing positive leaders and investing in the people in our family.
How would you categorize/describe your coaching style/philosophy? My coaching style is very high energy (I can only sit on the sidelines for maybe 4 seconds). I enjoy being active and engaged in training sessions and games. In my coaching philosophy, I believe our energy is contagious, so it is importantly to be positively contagious, positively motivate, and inspire each other. Everything we do is for our troop family.
Favorites
Favorite athlete: Mohamed Salah and Michelle Akers
Favorite sports team: Manchester City
Favorite movie/tv show: Elf
Favorite memory at Curry: Yama signing the national anthem. She is a stud! It warms my heart every time! Someone turn their chair and sign her!
Favorite food: I love all food unless it comes from the sea.
Favorite vacation spot: I love to travel and don't have a specific favorite. Shout out to my family roots in Portugal!
Favorite spot on campus: Walter M. Katz Field because it is where dreams are made.
Favorite quote/motto? "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel" - Maya Angelou
Check out our previous Summer Spotlights:
Allie Wysocki - Women's Lacrosse
Thomas Agliata - Football
Jocelyn Dimond - Softball, Women's Soccer
Tarek Paranica - Men's Ice Hockey
Rebecca Johnson - Women's Volleyball
Richard Silva - Men's Soccer
Kelsie Rainone - Women's Cross Country
Michael Ashley - Men's Basketball
Maddie Wilson - Women's Soccer
Samrin LaPrise - Men's Lacrosse
Jordan Perzan - Softball
Garrett Fosher - Baseball
Samantha Borges - Women's Soccer
Melvin Wells - Football
Alex Chase - Softball
Daniel Coughlin - Baseball
Derek Degeis - Football
Keep an eye on curryathletics.com for more Summer Spotlights!
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