Four or more years, NCAA DI, NULL ◦ NCAA DI, NULL ◦ NCAA DI, MVFC ◦ NCAA DI - FBS, NULL ◦ NCAA DI, HCAC ◦ NCAA DI, NEWA ◦ NAIA ◦ NCAA DI - FBS, NULL • University Park, PA
Four or more years, NCAA DI, NULL ◦ NCAA DI, NULL ◦ NCAA DI, MVFC ◦ NCAA DI - FBS, NULL ◦ NCAA DI, HCAC ◦ NCAA DI, NEWA ◦ NAIA ◦ NCAA DI - FBS, NULL • University Park, PA
Four or more years • NCAA DI, NULL ◦ NCAA DI, NULL ◦ NCAA DI, MVFC ◦ NCAA DI - FBS, NULL ◦ NCAA DI, HCAC ◦ NCAA DI, NEWA ◦ NAIA ◦ NCAA DI - FBS, NULL • University Park, PA
Profile
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State)
Four or more years,
•
University Park, PA
Overall Rating
3.9
162 Reviews
72%
Would Recommend
Division and Conference
ACHA M2 • Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League Premier | ACCHL Premier
ACHA W1 • Central Collegiate Women's Hockey Association | CCWHA
"She is actually pretty good at recruiting, but after that part of the job is done, every talented player starts playing worse after being on the team for a couple of years. She doesn’t know how to recognize the weapons of the players or how to develop their weaker sides. She has been caught lying to pit players against each other multiple times. Cannot stand any criticism of her coaching methods coming from the players. She picks favorites sometimes based on who the better players are, other times based on personal preferences. Players on the team are treated as if they are disposable goods, for example, by creating an environment where seniors who are about to graduate are isolated from the rest of the team for multiple years in a row. Many players also end up injured as a result of unnecessarily intense practices and a lack of care for their physical and mental health. Penn State is an excellent school, and it makes me sad that people might not want to come here. But the reality is, something needs to change for the results and well-being of the players to be improved."
"I just finished my freshman year here at Penn State University on the women’s tennis team. She created the environment so competitive and unwelcoming that it was hard not to feel depressed and anxious. I would try and complain to the admissions department but they would only cover for her feeling me left very unsupported. She does not treat people fair. Manipulates you into thinking she cares. Not a leader at all, and really I struggled with depression so much because of her and her players. She created the environment so toxic. One example is we played against Yale. And at that time I was playing line 4 and the girl playing line 3 was cheering against me, as well as her mother and when I told head coach about this she pretended she didn’t see anything. "
"This coach creates a toxic, mentally unhealthy environment. She lacks real tennis knowledge and experience in developing players, breaks promises about professional tournament support, and actively undermines academics by encouraging failure as acceptable for athletes. She shows no regard for your well-being or mental health. Stay away if you care about your sport, your future, or yourself."
"Treats the girls as if they are pawns in a game, not humans. Only cares about you if you are healthy to play. Has no regard for anyone’s wellbeing. Doesn’t emphasize school at all and only cares about tennis. Recruits with empty promises that are never fulfilled. Provided zero help on the court, actually is detrimental at times with her comments. Only way to improve on her team is to tell her to not coach you. Lastly, she shows up looking completely unprofessional for travel and matches. "
"the most terrible coach that you/your child can train with. That person is not even a coach.
keep your kid away from that person and from Penn State women tennis team.
The whole environment is extremely toxic there."
"Terrible, got very unlucky coming here. . Manipulated and suffered with depression.
If you have a daughter who wants to come here. Please don’t bring her as head coach is extremely terrible. I was on the team here and would never wish someone to come and experience what I had to experience.
And team is very unwelcoming "
"Worst coach I’ve ever had in my whole career. Would make a good motivational speaker but that’s about it. Doesn’t have any basketball IQ and cannot coach for his life. Filled with a bunch of false promises and is so unorganized. Everyone always gets badly injured in that program and his workouts do not make sense. He’s very egotistical and will say one thing and do the other. He’s also just so weird. He preaches culture but there is absolutely no team culture. There a reason he’s a losing coach. Like I said, worst coach I’ve ever had. "
"Quite literally changed my life for the better. Was very direct and forward about expectations and whether or not you were meeting them to your ability. Could be intense in her directness, but as long as you had the mentality that she was trying to make you better, you made the adjustment and moved on. Never held a grudge. Does not deal well with people who make excuses for lack of effort and lack of commitment. Wants to win, but also wants to support her players as people."
"I did not perform well in college, but Coach Gondak never gave up on me. If you are not performing well, it is only natural that a coach will tend to his more successful athletes. It is up to the athletes to perform and grow."
"The only positive thing I can say about this coach is that she knows the game of basketball just not what it takes to win. However she is disrespectful and could care less about your feelings and will destroy your confidence if you let her. I would never recommend this school if you’re an athlete. Good luck to those who are currently there trust me I do know what you’re going through I had one year with her. "
"The game has evolved past her abilities. Missy is a very poor communicator, never provide feedback on performance. Her only success has been with players that were here when she took over. She doesn’t like girls that play the game and can pass, she only appreciates the girl that drives down the middle and scores 3 goals, regardless that the same girl turns the ball over 8-10 times in the process which other team converts to goals. Assistant coaches all quit within 1-2 years…says a lot about the head coach."
"Pretty understanding with most things but can come be really moody at certain times like any other coach. Athletes must stay in dorms for two years with the same roommate and not able to pick roommates. Dorms don’t have air conditioning and are very old. Team culture is amazing amongst all of the players. "
"She is extremely loyal to PSUFH. Her “kids” aka the team comes first always. She can be intense but only in a way to make the team stronger mentally and physically. She wants nothing but the best for everyone. You need to come in ready to play D1 field hockey!"
"Jeff is a dedicated coach who is committed to winning, whatever it takes. He rewards those who work hard and put in the time, but he’s not afraid to go with an underclass man or whoever the best option is to win the game."
"He is very nice and welcoming. His overall vibe was very nice and made me feel comfortable during my recruiting process to work with the athletic staff "
"Very nice guy and welcoming. Really helped my process of getting recruited for the athletic staff. Could communicate better but overall a very nice person and knows his job inside and out"
"Missy is a great person and super easy to talk to but a little bit too much of an old school mentality with how much the game has evolved over the years. "
"She’s new this year but she’s adjusted really well and she’s very understanding with her role. Good at integrating old stuff with new. Most of us have PR’ed"
"Not a players coach, if you aren't producing he doesn't care. If you get injured star player or not he will become very distant. Doesn't give you straight answers. "
"Greg Gattuso may be the single most negative and psychologically traumatizing entity to ever enter my life. He is an egotistical and narcissistic excuse for a man. He actively practices favoritism and I watched him let certain players break the law multiple times and still start while others were stripped of their scholarships. He is a cancer."
"It always seemed like he was just trying to be cool and look like he knew exactly what he was doing. I never felt motivated to play for him. He constantly said we would try all these new things at practice and stuff, but wouldn't follow through. I do believe he cared about you outside of the sport, but he did not make playing the game fun at all"
"Jeff Tambroni is a individual that will require every ounce of effort you have in your body. The good news if you are seriously ready to work harder than you ever have in your life he is the best coach out there. He prepares you for life after lacrosse...going to work is a walk in the park compared to what I had to do there. He is the man! "
"Not a very straight forward person, will definitely talk around bad situations and not let you know what you need to hear. I personally have never had anything bad happen but many of my friends have been in situations that he was very misleading whether it be with injuries, scholarship, or playing time. Also promises things he doesn't ever deliver."
"Great Coach. A guy that you want to play for. Tough getting to accept him during your younger years. But you will adjust and will see how good of a coach he is."
"Good overall coach, does care about life after football which is one of the best qualities to have. Some people will be made about how he does it but he does know how to win."
"I love my coach! She treats me as an international really well, and makes me feel comfortable, and helped me a lot with the transition into Penn State."
"A selfish, narcissist who only cares about winning, players he recruited, and his fame. Unfortunately, I'm being as objective as possible. He betrayed and treated several players horribly. It's sad how bad he lies to the parents of the kids he's recruiting."
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