University of Michigan women’s lacrosse hires assistant coach Jen Valore

Via press release:

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – University of Michigan women’s lacrosse head coach Jennifer Ulehla announced the hiring of her first assistant coach, Jen Valore, on Friday (Dec. 23). The women’s lacrosse program will begin varsity competition in 2013-14.

“I am honored and privileged to welcome Jen Valore to the University of Michigan,” Coach Ulehla said. “Her experience, knowledge, passion and competitiveness will be invaluable to me as we begin this incredible journey together. Jen’s loyalty and strong work ethic combined with her athletic background and leadership training will play a critical role in building the Michigan women’s lacrosse program into one of the best and most respected in the nation.”

A native of Moorestown, N.J., Valore (vah-lore-ee) was a four-year starter on defense for Ulehla at James Madison University from 1997-2000. In 2000 she captained the Dukes squad that reached the Final Four and was named South Jersey Collegiate Defender of the Year.

“I am excited to join Coach Ulehla once again and am extremely proud to be part of a remarkable university like Michigan, which holds such a rich athletic and academic tradition of excellence,” said Valore. “The tremendous support of the athletic department coupled with the relationship Coach Ulehla and I have built over the years will undoubtedly serve as a source of genuine strength as we look to build a championship program at the University of Michigan.”

Valore’s previous Division I coaching experience spanned two seasons at Temple from 2004-06. During that time the Owls were Atlantic-10 co-champions in 2005 and A-10 Tournament finalists in 2006.

Upon graduation from JMU, Valore spent time in collegiate athletic administration and remained active in coaching having served as instructor and coach for numerous camps, clinics and youth lacrosse teams. Most recently, Valore served as head coach for the Katz JCC women’s lacrosse teams of the Maccabi Games (2010-2011), leading her team to a gold medal in the Games’ inaugural lacrosse tournament.

During the past five years Valore was involved in coaching education while working within the sport management department at Drexel University (Philadelphia, Pa.) where she put her coaching skills to practice as a program administrator and adjunct instructor for both the undergraduate and graduate programs. During her time at Drexel, Valore helped develop the Drexel Sports Leadership Academy (DSLA) which uses sport as the vehicle to teach leadership principles to athletes and coaches. She implemented programs within the DLSA including “Coaching the Coaches,” “Coaching Your Kids” and “Competing with Character” among others.

It’s interesting to see someone hired who hasn’t been an active (college) coach in a few years, but her connections to Ulehla are obviously a big factor there.