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Lions name Cook assistant coach of women's soccer team

York University Lions women's soccer Master Coach Carmine Isacco announced that Tina Cook has been named as assistant coach of the women's soccer program.

Tina Cook

Tina Cook

Cook, who played professionally in Greece for two years following a four-year university career at Graceland University, comes to York with experience coaching at the university level and a track record of developing young athletes.

"Tina is very familiar with the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and brings an incredible amount of technical and tactical knowledge to our program," said Isacco. "She also has great familiarity with the female soccer community and I have no doubt Tina will be a great role model and mentor for the young athletes in our program."

Cook joins the Lions after a four-year stint as an assistant coach with the Ryerson Rams women's soccer team. Her coaching experience also includes working as a staff coach with the Richmond Hill Soccer Club, associate technical director with the Newmarket Soccer Club, head coach of the junior varsity team at Graceland University and one year as an assistant coach with Graceland's varsity team.

"I am excited to join the Lions soccer program and work alongside such an outstanding coach in Carmine Isacco and a very talented group of young women," said Cook. "Coach Isacco has built a tradition of success and competitive culture here at York and I look forward to continuing to grow that culture.

"University sport provides a unique opportunity for us as coaches to create exceptional experiences and an environment full of challenge and growth that will serve these young women well beyond graduation. I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the holistic development of these student-athletes and the continued pursuit of excellence in the Lions soccer program."

As a player, Cook excelled at Graceland University where she was a four-year National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) varsity scholarship athlete. The Yellowjackets went undefeated in Heart of America Conference play during her time with the team and reached the national championship elite eight in 2005 and 2008. She was also named team captain and earned an NAIA all-American scholar-athlete designation as well as the NAIA champion of character award.

After graduating from Graceland with a BA honours in psychology, Cook completed two master of science degrees. She studied diagnostic and intervention in sports science at Leipzig University in Germany and completed her European master's in sport and exercise psychology at the University of Thessaly in Greece.

Cook will be on the sideline alongside Isacco when the Lions make their 2018-19 season debut at home against the Western Mustangs on Friday, Aug. 24.

See the original story posted here.