Former Porker Rizzo Named Associate Head Coach at University of Maryland

Former All-American, national champion, Olympian, Walpole High standout and third-year assistant coach Dina Rizzo was promoted to Associate Head Coach, head coach Missy Meharg announced Wednesday.

Rizzo was hired by Meharg as an assistant coach at the beginning of the 2010 season. In those three seasons, she has helped the Terrapins to two NCAA titles, three Final Fours, an ACC title and a record of 60-11 (.845).

"Dina naturally teaches the game as she played at NCAA and Olympic level," Meharg said. "Heart, unmatched daily work rate, details to high performance and love for the game are her coaching trademarks. It has been an honor having her back in College Park for the last three years."

Rizzo played for the Terrapins from 1998-2001 and played in three Final Fours, two NCAA title games and was a member of the 1999 national champion team. She helped bring home four straight ACC titles. As a senior, she was named a First Team All-American and to the All-ACC and NCAA All-Tournament Teams.

"In her three years as an assistant coach, Dina has shown how valuable she is to our coaching staff," associate athletics director Ryan Bowles said. "Her accomplishments as a student athlete, Olympian and assistant at her alma mater make her very deserving of this responsibility and title. Her work with our student athletes and in recruiting have played a huge role in the success we've been able to have as a program."

After she graduated in the spring of 2002, Rizzo made the U.S. Senior National Team, where she played for seven years and made 133 appearances. She competed in all six of the U.S.'s games in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and played in the 2006 World Cup. Rizzo was also a member of the 2003 Pan American silver medalist team and played in two Olympic qualifiers and one World Cup qualifier.

"I am very humbled and honored by this opportunity," Rizzo said. "I have a lot of passion and respect for this program and couldn't be more grateful to work with head coach Missy Meharg. I am grateful to continue working with a group of amazing, talented and hardworking women. I look forward to continuing to build on Maryland's success on and off the field."