Women's Soccer | 11/13/2018 10:02:00 AM

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Nazareth College athletics community is mourning the passing of longtime women's soccer assistant coach Dave Giordano, who succumbed to a brief illness.

Giordano, 65, died Nov. 10 after serving as a fixture on the women's soccer sidelines for more than a decade. He was in the travel party for the team's goodwill excursion to Europe last spring.

Giordano also was active in the Rochester area soccer scene for six decades. He was an all-conference player at SUNY Geneseo, graduating in 1975 and gaining induction to the school's athletics Hall of Fame in 1991.

He coached both boys and girls soccer at Palmyra-Macedon High School for more than 20 years and had extended coaching stints in the Empire State Games and with the Rochester Ravens pro team.

He joined the Golden Flyers' coaching staff in 2008 and quickly became a revered figure to players, administrators and alumni.

"Dave was a special soul with the ability to lift your spirits with his smile," said Nazareth Coach Gail Mann. "Our lives are better for knowing him and loving him."

Tributes have poured in on the Nazareth women's soccer Facebook page.

A sampling:
"The world is a better place because Coach G was in it," said Michelle Urbanski Valentino. "There will be a void in our hearts forever."

"Dave was a mentor, friend, roomy, snoring buddy and always wanted the best for others," said Nazareth associate head coach Billy Stojanovski. "I will miss him dearly."

"I'm beyond thankful to have had the opportunity to have Dave in my life," said former player and assistant coach Kara Eaker. "He inspired me as a player, as a coach and ultimately as a person."

Calling hours are Friday 4-8 p.m. at Favro Funeral Home in Webster, N.Y. Funeral mass will be Saturday at 9:15 a.m. at St. Rita's Church.