Emily Lipari joined the American University cross country and track staff as a volunteer coach in the summer of 2019. She brings with her a wealth of experience after a storied career at Villanova and, now, as a professional runner since 2014.
"We are thrilled to have Emily joining us. She will be an absolutely invaluable addition to our staff and program," Head Coach Sean Graham said. "Her accomplishments and experience in all aspects of her career from high school through her current professional career will be incredibly impactful for our student-athletes. She is a true professional in everything she does and will be a great example for our athletes to learn from as we continue to build our programs to the highest level."
Lipari graduated from Villanova in 2014 with a psychology degree and minor in biology. One of the most successful runners in program history, she closed her career with the Wildcats as a three-time NCAA Champion (2010 cross country team, 2011 DMR, 2014 mile), and a 10-time All-American in the 1500m (4th-2014, 10th-2013), mile (1st-2014, 12th-2012) and 3000m runs (14th-2013), the DMR (1st-2011, 2nd-2013, 9th-2014), and on the cross country course (5th-2013, 25th-2012). She was also a 13-time Big East Champion, six-time Penn Relays champion, and the only woman in school history to anchor five Championship of American winning relays at Penn. By the time she graduated, she ranked second in program history in the 1000m (2:43.69), fourth in the mile (4:35.24), sixth in the 1500m (4:14.64), ninth in the 3000m (9:08.91), and was tied for third in the cross country record books for 6000m (19:53).
Also among her many accolades were three Mid-Atlantic Region Athlete of the Year honors and the 2014 Villanova Female Senior Student-Athlete of the Year honor.
On the professional circuit, Lipari was a finalist at the 2017 USATF Championships in the 1500m, placing 11th overall in 4:14.51. She was also the 2018 U.S. 1-Mile Road Champion, the 2018 Bring Back the Mile Series Champion, and she placed fourth at the USATF Indoor Championships for the 2-mile.
"Being a professional runner can be selfish at times, but I have always been excited to give back to younger runners with all that I have learned through my career," Lipari said. "When I knew I would be in the area, AU seemed like the perfect place to pass on what I have learned. With a young team there is a lot of room for growth and I'm very excited to offer guidance through their development as students and athletes."
