July 1, 2008

Sacred Heart University head women's basketball coach Ed Swanson announced the hiring of Lauren DeFalco as a graduate assistant coach for the upcoming 2008-09 season. DeFalco joins the coaching staff after a stellar playing career for the Iona Gaels.

"We are excited to have Lauren joining our staff," stated head coach Ed Swanson who begins his 19th season on the bench this year. "She comes from a highly respected program at Iona where she played for a well respected coach in Tony Bozzella."

DeFalco replaces former assistant and Pioneers standout Kerri Burke who graduated this past spring with her Master's degree in teaching from Sacred Heart. DeFalco joins the Pioneer coaching staff after just finishing a four-year playing career at Iona College. A Dean's List student all four years, DeFalco earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a History Concentration. She excelled in the classroom earning a spot on the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic Team her sophomore through senior seasons.

On the court, DeFalco was a key part of helping rebuild the Iona women's basketball program, from leading the Gales to the sixth best turnaround in the country in win totals in 2005-06 to consecutive berths in the Women's National Invitation Tournament in 2007 and 2008. She earned Tournament MVP Honors after leading Iona to the program's first tournament championship winning the Bank of Hawaii Invitational last season.

The East Brunswick, New Jersey native is the all-time leader in games played at Iona having appeared in124 with 64 starting assignments over her four years. She finished her career with 1,035 points and is Iona's all-time record holder in three-point field goals made with 167. She finished her career fifth all-time in assists with 315 and third in three-point field goal percentage (35.0%). Twice she earned a spot on the MAAC All-Tournament team as a junior and a senior after leading the Gaels to back-to-back Championship Game appearances.

"Lauren will assist in all aspects of our program including academic monitoring, scouting, recruiting and coaching the guard position," commented Swanson.