Tom Spinella Named Assistant Coach at Rensselaer

[Sonny]

TROY, N.Y. - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) director of athletics Ken Ralph has announced the hiring of Tom Spinella as men's lacrosse assistant coach. A former standout at nearby Skidmore College, he will aide head coach Jim Townsend.

"I am very excited to have Tom join the staff," said Townsend. "Having played at Skidmore, he's already familiar with the Liberty League and the game systems we will be running. His experience and knowledge will have an immediate impact to this program."

"This is a great opportunity to work with Jim and the Rensselaer community," said Spinella, a 2006 graduate. "It's exciting for me to see the drive toward excellence in athletics here at RPI. I'm looking forward to working with the student-athletes and helping the team return to the national spotlight."

A midfielder from New Hartford, N.Y., Spinella played four years for the Thoroughbreds, serving as a captain in his final two seasons. A three-time National All-American, he finished his career as the fourth leading scorer in school history, tallying 143 goals and 27 assists for 170 points. He was an All-Liberty League selection three times and the college's Senior Athlete Award winner in 2006.

One of Spinella's finest seasons was his junior year when he was the Liberty League Player of the Year and a National All-American. That season he led the league in goals per game (3.38) and shots (9.75 per game) and was second in points (3.94 per game). He was first on the team in goals (54) and points (63) while helping Skidmore to its first Liberty League title and into the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. The Thoroughbreds advanced to second round.

In addition to lacrosse, Spinella was a three-year member of the men's hockey team, serving as a captain in 2004. A forward, he tallied 15 goals and nine assists for 24 points in 66 career games.

Spinella has been an assistant coach and instructor for numerous lacrosse and hockey programs. He served as an assistant coach for the Adirondack Empire State lacrosse team in 2005 and worked with the Saratoga Springs High School lacrosse program in 2004 & 2005. As an ice hockey instructor, he served as an instructor at the Exeter Hockey School and the Hamilton College Hockey School.

Spinella, who has volunteered with the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation, graduated from Skidmore with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.