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Carolina men’s and women’s lacrosse programs benefit from New York City connections BY ANDREW STILWELL // PHOTOS BY KARA CANNIZARRO
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hen 2013 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player and Patterson Award-winner Kara Cannizarro came back to Carolina as Director of Engagement and Development for the women’s lacrosse program in August of 2017, she felt there was one thing missing that would make the lacrosse program “complete” in every way. “I met so many amazing alumni postgraduation, all who wanted to help me and other recent graduates succeed,” Cannizzaro said. “It only made sense to formalize it and capitalize on our network. “We decided that it would be an awesome opportunity if we could coordinate an effort to bring our current student athletes to the ‘working world’ of New York City so that they could experience different industries
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and start to understand where they wanted to work postgrad,” she continued. “After we had that idea, it was presented, and everyone was excited about it, so I started reaching out to prominent alumni in the New York City area. It was really well received.” During the past two fall breaks, members of the men’s and women’s lacrosse programs have traveled to New York City to meet and network with multiple lacrosse alumni from both programs who work in the city. The “pipeline” of UNC lacrosse to New York City has existed for many years, but it has become more “formalized” during these recent trips. Men’s lacrosse alumnus and 1988 graduate John Moore, Chairman and CEO of The Marwood Group, noted that
he has hired multiple interns from UNC for nearly 20 years. “I’m a big believer in the internship program,” Moore said. “Over the last few years, with Kara, Jenny [Levy] and Joe [Breschi], we’ve just kind of joined forces, and been able to more ‘high profile’ it for the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams. It’s a three-legged stool. You’ve got the athletics, the academics, and the experiential learning. It all handshakes really well.” Women’s lacrosse head coach Jenny Levy realizes the importance as well. “By formalizing the program, it became clear that this sort of engagement with alums was very powerful,” said Levy. “It created new relationships, connections and mentoring opportunities for our student athletes and alums. It is an organic way to
