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GIRLS COACHES
Sam Warner
Vice President, Director of Recruiting, Head Coach 2025 Black and 2026 Black
I am a 2003 graduate of James Madison University where I was a 4 year member of the Women's Lacrosse Team. In 2000, we were the first JMU team to qualify for the Women's National Championship Final Four (with the program eventually winning the National Championship in 2018). After graduating, I went on to coach both at the International and Collegiate level, before joining BBL in the fall of 2011. I always knew I wanted to coach after spending my childhood in the Basketball Gym at West Windsor High School, where my father was the Varsity Boys Coach for 35 years. Seeing first hand the relationships he had with his players (still to this day) illustrated daily the positive impact a coach can have on a young athlete. As a coach, you often feel like you are learning the game again, from a different perspective. When I get lost in the X's and O's I remember this quote I saw so often growing up: "A good coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life" -John Wooden
I am a 2003 graduate of James Madison University where I was a 4 year member of the Women's Lacrosse Team. In 2000, we were the first JMU team to qualify for the Women's National Championship Final Four (with the program eventually winning the National Championship in 2018). After graduating, I went on to coach both at the International and Collegiate level, before joining BBL in the fall of 2011. I always knew I wanted to coach after spending my childhood in the Basketball Gym at West Windsor High School, where my father was the Varsity Boys Coach for 35 years. Seeing first hand the relationships he had with his players (still to this day) illustrated daily the positive impact a coach can have on a young athlete. As a coach, you often feel like you are learning the game again, from a different perspective. When I get lost in the X's and O's I remember this quote I saw so often growing up: "A good coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life" -John Wooden
Rosamaria Riccobono
Director of BBL Girls North
Hi! I'm Rosamaria (Coach Rosa) Riccobono and I am the Director of BBL Girls North. I started my position in February 2021. My role is to oversee the girls north travel and academy program. Prior to BBL I was the Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Eastern Connecticut State University. Before Eastern, I was the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach at Elms College where we won the NECC Championship and earned an NCAA Tournament berth. In addition, I have coached for Purchase College, Team 91 Tri-State, Central Lacrosse, Trilogy Lacrosse and more! My favorite quote is by the Lorax, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not!" I try my best to embody this quote in all aspects of my life and I care a whole awful lot about providing the best experience to our players and families!
Hi! I'm Rosamaria (Coach Rosa) Riccobono and I am the Director of BBL Girls North. I started my position in February 2021. My role is to oversee the girls north travel and academy program. Prior to BBL I was the Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Eastern Connecticut State University. Before Eastern, I was the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach at Elms College where we won the NECC Championship and earned an NCAA Tournament berth. In addition, I have coached for Purchase College, Team 91 Tri-State, Central Lacrosse, Trilogy Lacrosse and more! My favorite quote is by the Lorax, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not!" I try my best to embody this quote in all aspects of my life and I care a whole awful lot about providing the best experience to our players and families!
Jay Roussey
Central Girls 2025 Select
I am in my 28th year of coaching. I have coached on the youth through collegiate levels both boys and girls. I have been with Building Blocks for just over a year, and am currently the Head Girls Lacrosse coach at Cranford High School. Fun fact about me is I started two of NJ's Community College Programs, County College of Morris and Union County College. I took both teams to the top 10 in the country within 2 seasons. I don't have one influential person, but try to learn from every coach I encounter to make myself a better coach overall.
I am in my 28th year of coaching. I have coached on the youth through collegiate levels both boys and girls. I have been with Building Blocks for just over a year, and am currently the Head Girls Lacrosse coach at Cranford High School. Fun fact about me is I started two of NJ's Community College Programs, County College of Morris and Union County College. I took both teams to the top 10 in the country within 2 seasons. I don't have one influential person, but try to learn from every coach I encounter to make myself a better coach overall.
Nicholas Rabiecki
Girls 2027 Select
I have been playing and coaching lacrosse for over fifty years. It is my sincere hope to pass the love and respect that I have for the game on to future generations. Fun fact: by default I actually coached the first game that a BBL team ever played (it’s a long story but we won!!)
I have been playing and coaching lacrosse for over fifty years. It is my sincere hope to pass the love and respect that I have for the game on to future generations. Fun fact: by default I actually coached the first game that a BBL team ever played (it’s a long story but we won!!)
Stephanie Aranowitz
Womens 2030 Select
My name is Stephanie and I played field hockey and lacrosse at Western Maryland. After college,I moved back to my home town of Bel Air, MD and coached high school Girls at Edgewood as well as North Harford & refereed high school in between. After moving to NJ, I was the head coach for the West Essex Boys class of 2022 for 6 years. Favorite Quote: The Harder You Work, the Luckier You get!
My name is Stephanie and I played field hockey and lacrosse at Western Maryland. After college,I moved back to my home town of Bel Air, MD and coached high school Girls at Edgewood as well as North Harford & refereed high school in between. After moving to NJ, I was the head coach for the West Essex Boys class of 2022 for 6 years. Favorite Quote: The Harder You Work, the Luckier You get!
Emily Haid
North Girls
Hello, my name is Emily Haid and this will be my first year coaching at BBL. I played midfield for Lebanon Valley College all four years of my college career. I am currently an ABA Preschool Teacher for Jefferson School District. My favorite quote is "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take" by Wayne Gretzky. A fun fact about myself is my favorite animal is an elephant!
Hello, my name is Emily Haid and this will be my first year coaching at BBL. I played midfield for Lebanon Valley College all four years of my college career. I am currently an ABA Preschool Teacher for Jefferson School District. My favorite quote is "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take" by Wayne Gretzky. A fun fact about myself is my favorite animal is an elephant!
Jenna Dingler
Central Girls
Hi! I am Jenna Dingler, and I have been coaching with BBL for about 4 years now. I am currently the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach at Manhattan College. I graduated from Lock Haven University in 2016. I was named First Team All-American and appeared in two NCAA Division II National Championship Games. My experience as a student-athlete is what inspired me to coach. I started coaching collegiately immediately after graduation. I have a master's degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Admin and Coaching from Montclair State University. One of my favorite quotes is, "Passion has a funny way of trumping logic."
Hi! I am Jenna Dingler, and I have been coaching with BBL for about 4 years now. I am currently the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach at Manhattan College. I graduated from Lock Haven University in 2016. I was named First Team All-American and appeared in two NCAA Division II National Championship Games. My experience as a student-athlete is what inspired me to coach. I started coaching collegiately immediately after graduation. I have a master's degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Admin and Coaching from Montclair State University. One of my favorite quotes is, "Passion has a funny way of trumping logic."
Allie Ferrara
Central Girls
I am currently the Varsity Girls Lacrosse Coach at Morristown High School and I am entering my 7th season coaching with BBL. I played on one of the first ever BBL teams and I continued my playing career at University of Louisville and then transferred to Rutgers University. I teach 8th grade math at Frelinghuysen Middle School and I am so fulfilled by the opportunity to mentor young female athletes.
I am currently the Varsity Girls Lacrosse Coach at Morristown High School and I am entering my 7th season coaching with BBL. I played on one of the first ever BBL teams and I continued my playing career at University of Louisville and then transferred to Rutgers University. I teach 8th grade math at Frelinghuysen Middle School and I am so fulfilled by the opportunity to mentor young female athletes.
Maria Grant
BBL Girls North
Maria Grant has coached for BBL North for many years. She has also coached at various Division I and Division III schools such as Syracuse and Rutgers University and Vassar College. Over the years she has coached at independent and public high schools, and at the scholastic and youth levels. She served as President of the Hunterdon Mohawks Girls and Boys Youth Lacrosse program and under her leadership the club was the first youth organization in the United States to earn the Gold Stick Award from US Lacrosse for best practice, best safety, and best lacrosse experience in 2016. Coach Grant was a four-year varsity letter winner for both field hockey and lacrosse at Rutgers University. During her athletic career Coach Grant earned USWLA First Team All-American; Brine First Team All-American; led the nation in saves in one season and highest save percentage. While playing field hockey at Rutgers University Coach Grant was a member of the USA National Squad; National Sports Festival Team, won a National Sports Festival Bronze Medal; was an NCAA National Tournament Final Eight participant; Rutgers University two-time Regional All-American; and Most Valuable Defensive Player. Coach Grant has three children that all play lacrosse at the collegiate level. “Winning isn’t the point. Wanting to win is the point. Not giving up is the point. Never letting up is the point. Never being satisfied with what you have done is the point. The game is never over.” Pat Summitt
Maria Grant has coached for BBL North for many years. She has also coached at various Division I and Division III schools such as Syracuse and Rutgers University and Vassar College. Over the years she has coached at independent and public high schools, and at the scholastic and youth levels. She served as President of the Hunterdon Mohawks Girls and Boys Youth Lacrosse program and under her leadership the club was the first youth organization in the United States to earn the Gold Stick Award from US Lacrosse for best practice, best safety, and best lacrosse experience in 2016. Coach Grant was a four-year varsity letter winner for both field hockey and lacrosse at Rutgers University. During her athletic career Coach Grant earned USWLA First Team All-American; Brine First Team All-American; led the nation in saves in one season and highest save percentage. While playing field hockey at Rutgers University Coach Grant was a member of the USA National Squad; National Sports Festival Team, won a National Sports Festival Bronze Medal; was an NCAA National Tournament Final Eight participant; Rutgers University two-time Regional All-American; and Most Valuable Defensive Player. Coach Grant has three children that all play lacrosse at the collegiate level. “Winning isn’t the point. Wanting to win is the point. Not giving up is the point. Never letting up is the point. Never being satisfied with what you have done is the point. The game is never over.” Pat Summitt
Dana Cavallo
Girls North Coach & Little Warriors Coordinator
I have been one of the coaches at BBL North for about two years. I played lacrosse for Randolph College and recently completed a M.S. in Coaching and Sports Leadership from Randolph College. I am currently the assistant coach at Wayne Hills High School and lead the BBL Girls North Little Warriors program. In my free time, I am a beekeeper and like to snowboard in the winter.
I have been one of the coaches at BBL North for about two years. I played lacrosse for Randolph College and recently completed a M.S. in Coaching and Sports Leadership from Randolph College. I am currently the assistant coach at Wayne Hills High School and lead the BBL Girls North Little Warriors program. In my free time, I am a beekeeper and like to snowboard in the winter.
Casey Butera
Girls North
My name is Casey Butera, and I'm currently in my first year of coaching for Building Blocks Lacrosse. I played lacrosse at Franklin Pierce University. I have prior lacrosse coaching experience at the high school, club and youth levels. A fun fact about me is, if I could travel anywhere in the world, I would pick New Zealand for its amazing hikes.
My name is Casey Butera, and I'm currently in my first year of coaching for Building Blocks Lacrosse. I played lacrosse at Franklin Pierce University. I have prior lacrosse coaching experience at the high school, club and youth levels. A fun fact about me is, if I could travel anywhere in the world, I would pick New Zealand for its amazing hikes.
Kat Palaia
North Girls
I am in my first year with BBL as an assistant coach for the 2031 team. I am currently a junior at Kean University where I am majoring in Physical Education and Health. I am an attacker for the Kean University Women's Lacrosse Team. My favorite quote is "Be your own hero." A fun fact about me is that I am a Green Bay Packers fan.
I am in my first year with BBL as an assistant coach for the 2031 team. I am currently a junior at Kean University where I am majoring in Physical Education and Health. I am an attacker for the Kean University Women's Lacrosse Team. My favorite quote is "Be your own hero." A fun fact about me is that I am a Green Bay Packers fan.
Michael Saladino
New Jersey
I graduated from Georgian Court University (NCAA DII) in December 2018. I was named 2018 CACC Conference Player of the Year and CACC First Team. Our men’s lacrosse team won the CACC Conference Tournament where I was named All-Tournament Team and was also named 2018 GCU Male Athlete of the Year along with the men’s lacrosse team MVP.
I graduated from Georgian Court University (NCAA DII) in December 2018. I was named 2018 CACC Conference Player of the Year and CACC First Team. Our men’s lacrosse team won the CACC Conference Tournament where I was named All-Tournament Team and was also named 2018 GCU Male Athlete of the Year along with the men’s lacrosse team MVP.
Brigitte Geiger
Central Girls 2027 Black
TCNJ, Collegiate All American; US Women’s National Team; NE2 Officials chapter past President and Cadet Chair; Founder of Mount Olive Youth and High School Boys and Girls Teams; NJ Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductee; Area Coordinator, Selector, and Coach for Brine/Maverick National All American Lacrosse Classic; BBL Academy coach and 2027 Elite Black Team Coach since 2021. Fun Fact “I love to travel in my RV with my family and our dog.” Quote “The game doesn’t always go to the biggest or fastest player, but the game sometimes goes to the player who thinks they can. Success begins with a player’s will- It’s all in the State of Mind” (c.w. longnecker)
TCNJ, Collegiate All American; US Women’s National Team; NE2 Officials chapter past President and Cadet Chair; Founder of Mount Olive Youth and High School Boys and Girls Teams; NJ Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductee; Area Coordinator, Selector, and Coach for Brine/Maverick National All American Lacrosse Classic; BBL Academy coach and 2027 Elite Black Team Coach since 2021. Fun Fact “I love to travel in my RV with my family and our dog.” Quote “The game doesn’t always go to the biggest or fastest player, but the game sometimes goes to the player who thinks they can. Success begins with a player’s will- It’s all in the State of Mind” (c.w. longnecker)
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