ALBANY, N.Y. - The University at Albany field hockey head coach Phil Sykes has announced the hiring of recent graduate Isabella Del Vecchio as an assistant coach.
 
"We are very excited to be adding Isabella Del Vecchio as an assistant coach," said Sykes. "She was a strong player for us and, more importantly, a really great teammate and leader. I think she will add a lot to our staff."
 
Del Vecchio returns to the Great Danes after graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology in May 2025. While a student-athlete, she was an active member of the Student-Athletes Advisory Committee and the Hidden Opponent, a campus organization meant to spread awareness for student-athlete mental health.
 
"I am very excited to become a part of the University at Albany coaching staff," said Del Vecchio. "I have loved being a player on the team these past four years, and I am grateful for the opportunity to coach for such a great program. I would like to say thank you to Phil [Sykes] and [Andy Thornton] for the chance to work with [them]. I look forward to the upcoming season."
 
As a student-athlete, Del Vecchio was a member of the Great Danes' field hockey team for four years. The Somers, N.Y. native regularly competed for UAlbany with 59 total appearances and 22 starts. She scored her first collegiate goal as a sophomore and followed with seven goals as a junior. Over the last two years of her career, she played in all but one game. 
 
Outside of her time as a Great Dane, Del Vecchio spent her time with field hockey camps of all ages. Since June 2021, she has coached for New York Hockey Club while taking advantage of additional volunteer opportunities with Guilderland Elementary School and UAlbany's Field Hockey Youth Day. In addition to field hockey, Del Vecchio was a counselor for the YMCA and an MRI scheduler for the Bone and Joint Center.
 
Keep up with all of the latest news, highlights, and insights on UAlbany field hockey by following the team on X, Instagram, and Facebook.