OXFORD, Ohio—Miami University synchronized skating head coach Carla DeGirolamo and assistant coach Lee Ann Shoker announced today that they will step down from leading the program following the 2023-24 season to each pursue new endeavors.
 
Both products of the program during their undergraduate years, the duo have combined for 39 years on the RedHawk synchronized skating staff. DeGirolamo's coaching stint at Miami spans 21 years, including the last 15 as head coach. Shoker is in her 18th season on staff with the program.
 
"It has been an honor and a privilege to be a daily part of this program for the past 25 years as both a student-athlete and coach," said DeGirolamo. "I will always treasure the relationships, memories and opportunities afforded to me as a part of the Miami Skating family.  
 
"This decision was not an easy one and involved much thoughtful consideration for both me and also for Lee Ann," she continued. "I know in my heart that it is time for me to 'pass the torch' and move on to new endeavors and opportunities and to contribute to the sport in a new capacity. Miami Skating is in a great place, and I am confident it will continue to flourish through this transition and beyond."
 
"Carla, Lee Ann and the Miami Synchronized Skating program epitomize what it means to Graduate Champions," said Miami University Director of Athletics David Sayler. "When a program wins consistently at this level in addition to the remarkable work they also do in the classroom and to graduate their student-athletes and send them off to successful careers, it is something special. Not only do they represent Miami University when they take the ice, they also have the opportunity to represent the United States on many occasions, and do so with true grace and dignity. I am thankful to Carla and Lee Ann for their leadership and guidance of Miami Synchronized Skating over the years and wish them each the very best in the next chapters of their lives."
 
Following a decorated four-year career as a skater for Miami from 1999-2002, DeGirolamo spent seven seasons as an assistant coach in the program under former long-time head coach Vicki Korn, serving as the head coach of the junior team from 2006-09. She was the top assistant coach for the senior team from 2004-09 after serving as head coach of the collegiate team her first full-time season on staff. She was a volunteer assistant with the program during the 2002-03 season. DeGirolamo assumed the reins of the program in June 2009 following Korn's retirement.
 
During DeGirolamo's time as head coach, the RedHawks have won 10 collegiate national championships (2010-16, 2019, 2022-23) while the senior team has qualified for the World Championships six times (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023). The last two World Championship appearances are among the top four finishes for the RedHawks at the event, placing sixth each year.
 
Over the course of her entire time with the Miami coaching staff, the RedHawks have won a combined 16 national championships (2 senior; 14 collegiate) and qualified for the World Championships nine times, achieving a silver medal with Team USA in 2007, the first medal finish at the World Championships by a U.S. team and the highest finish at the event by a U.S. team. She also helped the collegiate team to a record-breaking string of 12-consecutive national titles from 2005-2016.
 
"I want to thank President Greg Crawford, Director of Athletics David Sayler, Miami University, Intercollegiate Athletics and its administration for allowing me the great honor of leading this program for these 15 years," said DeGirolamo. "Your unwavering support of me and of this program means the world. To them and to all the support staff, thank you for taking care of our student-athletes and thank you for giving them the opportunity to successfully compete at the highest levels of our sport while pursuing a degree from this wonderful institution.
 
"To the athletes, past and present, thank you for trusting us to be a part of your life's journey," she continued. "I have learned so much from each of you and will forever cherish the memories we have made and the accomplishments we have achieved together. I am so proud to have helped develop a new generation of coaches and officials, who will continue to help this sport grow throughout the country. It is a true joy to see so many of our alums at competition events and the passion and dedication they have for the sport and that that they share with future generations."
 
Shoker is in her 18th season with the Miami Synchronized Skating program and her 16th as an assistant coach. During her time on staff at Miami, Shoker has helped coach seven RedHawk senior teams that qualified for the World Championships, including the 2007 World Silver Medalists and the 2009 National Championship team. She also has helped the collegiate team win 13 national titles--including a large part of the record-breaking string of 12 national titles--as an assistant coach.
 
"It is with gratitude and a full heart for all I have learned and been given through Miami Skating that I look in a new direction away from coaching full time," said Shoker. "To have been coached by Vicki Korn and Bonnie Grosel as an athlete, be a part of our first national championship Junior Team, a member of our first Senior Team and then compete representing Team USA, including the first World Challenge Cup was truly remarkable. I cannot express the growth that has come from working alongside such high-caliber coaches, both personally and professionally. 
 
"I was never able to thank Vicki enough for welcoming me home in 2006 and helping me find my way when I was unsure what path to follow. Coaching alongside Carla has been a friendship and mentorship that not only pushed both of us, but also Miami Skating. I feel very lucky to have her to count on and hope I have proven to be just as trusty to her.
 
"I think of all of the other coaches that have helped us along the way. Kelley Morris-Adair is a mind-blowing technician who can make the most difficult concepts of physics understandable to our student-athletes, moving them along the pathway of skill mastery! Katie Bowling--while no longer on the ice daily--is so invested in both the staff and the teams, bringing joy, insight and humor to all that she does. Other great coaches have been with us on and off the ice along the way. Lana Kay Rosenberg has provided me another language for movement and sound effects to match! Our trainers, strength coaches and support staff over the years have truly kept the wheels turning as they will continue to do. 
 
"The teammates and the student-athletes I have been on this Miami Skating journey with are everything! I will miss the front-row seat to the personal growth of each student-athlete on or off the ice," Shoker continued. "I will miss witnessing the moments you least expect to be important and make a lasting impact. I will miss the mundane that helps create the magnificent. But I will not forget all we have accomplished together and all that we have to achieve through the remainder of this season. I hope that we can continue to come together to see what magic Miami Skating can make happen during our final season coaching! Know that I will be cheering on the future coaches and teams as the next chapter of Miami Skating takes shape!"
 
Off the ice, one of DeGirolamo and Shoker's crowning achievements is the establishment of the Vicki Korn Fund to honor Korn's legacy and the impact she had on the Miami Synchronized Skating program. This fund has a direct impact on Synchronized Skating student-athletes by ensuring the future of the Synchronized Skating program at Miami University. Vicki Korn Fund
 
"I wish the Miami Synchronized Skating program continued success, and I am excited to cheer them on as part of the 'sea of red'," DeGirolamo added. "I am looking forward to watching new generations of Miami Skating student-athletes continue this legacy of excellence and take this program to new heights!"
 
DeGirolamo is a 2003 graduate of Miami University, while Shoker is a 1996 Miami University graduate. DeGirolamo, a two-time captain who skated four years on the senior team, was a member of the program's first national title team at the senior level in 1998-99. Shoker skated for Miami for four years, including the first varsity team in 1995-96.
 
Miami Athletics will begin an international search for the synchronized skating coaching positions immediately.