Coach Franny Gerardi (Photo Provided)
Northwood, welcome Franny Gerardi, the girls’ hockey assistant coach. Originally a hockey goalie from Yonkers, New York, Franny was raised in a hockey family and started playing when she was two years old.
When asked what made her want to get into coaching, Gerardi referred to her father, who played an influential role in her decision to want to coach. “Hockey runs in the family,” she said. Her hockey journey led her to play for Bishop Kearny Selects in high school and then for the Manhattanville Valliant’s in college, where she broke numerous records, including single-season records (for saves, minutes played, and single-game saves) and career records (saves and minutes played).
Gerardi has come to Northwood as the girls’ hockey assistant coach, and her presence has already been noticed. Gerardi has a vibrant personality and a different view for many of the girls on the team.
Laura Dyke ‘25, captain of the girls’ hockey team, says: “Franny is a presence that any team would benefit from. She brings an energy that is encouraging and uplifting, while also demanding. She strives to make the girls around her better, and we are so excited to have her on the bench with us this year.”
Many of the girls on the team share this opinion. Autumn Kelley ‘26 states, “I enjoy the effect that coach Gerardi has on the girls’ hockey team already. I am excited to see what she will continue to bring to the culture of this team. She brings a good balance and is well-respected by the girls in this program.”
Kate Elbrect ‘26 agrees: “She is exceedingly knowledgeable when it comes to on-ice advice, giving a different perspective to girls who look for guidance.”
As an assistant coach, Franny is compelled to engage. Working alongside head coach Trevor Gilligan, she comes with a desire to learn and push the girls’ hockey team to their fullest potential. As Gilligan states, “She can relate to the goals and aspirations of the current players that we have, to help them to make decisions.” Furthermore, when asked to speak upon what he wants to teach Gerardi about Northwood girl’s hockey, Gilligan said, “The culture…you girls have a belief in how you carry yourselves every day and have a lot of pride in being at Northwood and representing the Northwood girl’s hockey team. While she has only seen a small sample size of that, she’s excited to help grow it.”
Welcome to Northwood, Franny!
