ALEXANDRIA TWP. – “Lacrosse has been an integral part of my life; it’s in my blood; it’s my passion,” says Debra Minzola Jimenez, the next head coach of Delaware Valley Regional High School’s girls’ lacrosse team.
Her appointment was confirmed at the Monday’s school Board of Education meeting. The board also appointed Kevin Fabrizio as new head coach of the boys’ lacrosse team at the same meeting.
After a stellar high school and college career, for two seasons she played lacrosse for the U.S. Women’s National Team, which represents the U.S. in matches and tournaments, up to and including World Cup competition. Jimenez also coaches elite players for T3 Lacrosse Club for girls at various age levels.
Lacrosse ‘is in my blood,’ says Debra Jimenez, Delaware Valley High School’s new girls’ lacrosse coach. (Photo by Rick Epstein
“This incredible, awesome game of girls’ lacrosse has been very good to me,” Jimenez said. “It has provided me incredible opportunities. It has taken care of me. It has taught me valuable life lessons on and off the field. It has shaped me into the person and coach I am now.”
She observed “one common denominator that was present on all of the teams I was a part of that contributed to our success on the fields – coaches who cared about the development of the player in all aspects, physical, emotional and mental.”
At each level “our coaches were just as passionate about the kids as they were the sport. Our coaches inspired us to bring out our best, to never give up, to fight for our teammates, to play with heart; and when players are inspired, they accomplish incredible feats.”
New boys’ lacrosse head coach at Delaware Valley
So to honor the sport and her mentors, “I coach like I was coached — with inspiration and heart. If a player gives me 100 percent commitment of herself during the season, I will give her 110 percent of myself during the season.”
Total commitment has worked well for her. As a student at Boyertown High School in Pennsylvania, Jimenez was a two-time first-team USWLA All-American and set the school’s all-time leading scorer record with 248 goals in three years and held a state record for goals in one season – 106. She was also MVP and captain her senior year. She helped lead Boyertown to two state championships.
She continued playing lacrosse at Temple University on an athletic scholarship, while earning a bachelor’s degree in health information management.
During each of her four years there, Temple’s women’s lacrosse team was nationally ranked in the top 10 and each year made it to the Final Four. Her team eventually won the Division 1 NCAA National Championship to finish a perfect season. Jimenez was later inducted into Temple’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
She lives in Union Township with her husband and two daughters. Active in the community, Jimenez is the co-commissioner of the Junior Lions girls’ lacrosse program. She also coaches at the youth level and is a certified U.S. Lacrosse Coach.
Last spring under coach Stephanie Rifflard, Del Val made it to the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament semifinals. The season tally was 8-10.
This item was submitted by Rick Epstein.
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