GLASSBORO, NJ - Gabby Lisella, who has dedicated 26 years to Rowan Athletics as a coach and administrator, announced her retirement from the University, effective July 1.
 
As Rowan's associate athletic director for the past seven years, Lisella was involved with facilities, operations and game management, and served as the sport supervisor for several programs. She oversaw numerous facilities projects, including construction of the new Student-Athlete Weight Room in Esby Gym that is scheduled to open in the fall.
 
Lisella moved into administration in 2019 after a successful 19-year career as the Profs' head women's basketball coach, where she prepared and mentored many young women who after graduation, went on successful careers in basketball or other fields.
 
As the Profs' head coach, Lisella amassed a school-record 260 victories from 2000 to 2019, saw 30 student-athletes earn All-NJAC honors and led six players who earned WBCA All-America recognition. Her 2015-16 team went 23-6 and reached the Second Round of the NCAA Championship, while she was honored as the D3hoops.com Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.
 
"I have always believed that my primary responsibility as a collegiate coach has been to prepare our student-athletes to be successful after graduation," said Lisella as she moved into administration from coaching. "I couldn't be prouder of the amazing women that have come through our program.  They have proven themselves to be outstanding in their chosen career paths and, more importantly, are people of character."
 
Before coming to Rowan, Lisella was the head coach and assistant athletic director at Oswego State (NY) for five seasons and the head coach at the University of the South (Sewanee) in Tennessee for four years. A graduate of East Stroudsburg University where she played basketball and volleyball, Lisella's first head coaching stint came at St. Lawrence University (NY) in 1990-91 when she served as the interim head women's basketball coach. 
 
As both a coach and an administrator she remained active in the sport, serving on the NCAA Division III Regional Advisory Committee, the selection committees for the WBCA Coach of the Year and the WBCA All-America Team, and since 2021, as a member of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Committee.