Staten Island, NY – The College of Staten Island Women's Flag Football Sports Club team will have a new voice at the helm as it prepares to defend its 2025 championship in the National Collegiate Flag Football League (NCFFL).
After former head coach, Frank Jennaco, stepped down in December 2025, the Dolphins now turn to a familiar face, as Lucana Pabon-Troia, who served as defensive coordinator from 2023–25, steps into the head coaching role. A former CSI student-athlete, Pabon-Troia brings both experience and a deep connection to the program as she prepares to lead the team into the upcoming season.
Known as "Coach Lu," Troia competed in four years of Division III basketball and softball, along with one season of volleyball, from 1995–2000. During her collegiate career, she was part of multiple CUNYAC championship teams, including the 1996–97 women's basketball title and softball championships in 1996, 1998, and 1999. She earned CUNYAC Tournament MVP honors in 1999. Pabon-Troia remains in the CSI Division III record book in multiple softball categories, ranking among the top 20 in several areas and top 10 all-time in triples and slugging percentage. She earned her bachelor's degree in sociology from CSI and later completed her master's degree in education at Wagner College.
Pabon-Troia's flag football journey began when she participated in a Breast Cancer Awareness game, sparking a decade-long playing career in Next Level Women's Flag Football leagues, where she won three championships while playing multiple positions, including quarterback and cornerback. Following her playing career, she transitioned into officiating, further developing her understanding of the game.
Her coaching career began in 2020 with the Staten Island Giants travel program under director Mike Colt, where she helped guide a team to a Next Level High School division championship. Pabon-Troia went on to coach multiple age groups, including 14U, 17U, 10U, and two 8U teams, winning several travel championships between 2021 and 2023. Among those accomplishments was an 8U national championship in Florida in 2023.
She later joined Jennaco with the NY Knights Travel Ogavel organization as a player development coach for girls aged 8U–12U, while also coaching 10U and 12U teams. Pabon-Troia continued her success with the Knights, winning multiple tournaments, including a standout summer in 2025 when her 12U team qualified for the inaugural AAU Junior Olympics in Houston, Texas.
CSI IM & Recreation, Sports Clubs, and Building Operations Coordinator Sal Caruso expressed confidence in Pabon-Troia leadership.
"Having someone who is not only a CSI alumna, but a proven winner as both a player and coach, is something special," Caruso said. "I am excited to see her take this next step and lead our collegiate flag football program. I have no doubt she will make a lasting impact on both the sport at CSI and the student-athletes she mentors."
Pabon-Troia also reflected on the opportunity.
"It is a tremendous honor to be named the first female head flag football coach at my alma mater," she said. "I have so many special memories as a student-athlete at CSI and look forward to creating more while continuing the winning tradition I was fortunate to be part of as both a player and coach."
