Michelle "Mickki" Curtin enters her fifth year at Lehman College as Head Coach of both the Men's and Women's Volleyball programs and Interim Co-Head Coach of the Softball program.
With more than 40 years of combined playing and coaching experience, Curtin has built a reputation for developing successful programs, mentoring student-athletes, and fostering a culture built on accountability, resilience, and personal growth. Her coaching career has spanned the high school, club, tournament, and collegiate levels, allowing her to develop athletes from beginners to collegiate standouts while building championship-caliber programs. Throughout her coaching career, Curtin has earned Coach of the Year honors in every conference in which she has coached. During her third season at Lehman College, Curtin was named CUNYAC Coach of the Year after leading the program through sustained competitive growth, reaching milestones that had not been accomplished in more than a decade and, in some cases, more than two decades, while helping student-athletes set multiple school records under her leadership.
In addition to her collegiate coaching responsibilities, Curtin serves as the Head Coach of Team Nitro Long Island Gold, a premier collegiate showcase softball program dedicated to preparing and advancing student-athletes for success at the collegiate level. She is also the President of the Long Island Pride Sports Association, where she continues to advocate for opportunity, inclusion, and the growth of athletics within the community.
Curtin has been selected to represent the United States as the Head Coach of the AIST USA Under-19 Team, which will compete in Italy. She continues to share her passion for athlete development by teaching volleyball and softball clinics throughout the year.
Curtin believes coaching is a privilege and that its impact extends far beyond wins and losses. She prides herself on building lifelong relationships with her student-athletes that continue long after they leave her programs. Her philosophy centers on teaching "wins and lessons," believing that every experience provides an opportunity to grow and that small, consistent steps lead to lasting success.
She demands respect through unwavering dedication to her programs, honesty with her athletes, and realistic expectations. She challenges her student-athletes to push beyond their perceived limits while sharpening their technical skills, competitive mindset, and athletic IQ under her direction. Curtin often reminds coaches at every level and in every sport that once they lose sight of the privilege of coaching, the passion that drives great coaches will inevitably begin to fade.
Whether on the court or on the field, Curtin is committed to helping her student-athletes reach their full potential as competitors, leaders, and people. For Curtin, success is measured not only by championships and accolades, but by the lasting impact she has on the lives of those she has the privilege to coach.
