This summer Women’s Soccer Graduate Assistant Brihanna DiPhilippo ’17 traded in her Castleton green for Harvard crimson as she spent two months participating in a 300-hour summer internship at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She spent her days working alongside the Ivy League school’s strength and conditioning coaches, while also enrolled in three graduate courses as she works to complete a Master’s degree in Athletic Leadership.
“I had a phone interview with Harvard and after chatting a bit about my goals and past experiences, they offered me the opportunity on the spot,” explained DiPhilippo. “I eagerly accepted as I couldn’t wait to learn from the best at the Ivy League Division I level.”
Her position included assisting Harvard athletes in hosting a youth summer camp, coaching lift and conditioning sessions, and participating in group workouts. A typical day for DiPhilippo began at 5 a.m. with equipment set-ups and workout sessions throughout the day before shifting her focus to the youth summer camp athletes. Each day would conclude with an intern staff group workout.
Harvard Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Tim Mullen curated lift, speed, agility, and conditioning cards for the group, pushing DiPhilippo’s strength and endurance to new levels, both mentally and physically.
“I have never competed and worked harder in my life,” said DiPhilippo.
Thankful for the rewarding experience, DiPhilippo has taken her summer learnings back with her to the green mountain state, incorporating what she learned at Harvard into her coaching role at Castleton.
“I learned how to run a team through sessions structurally and organizationally, as well as find my confidence in my coaching,” she said, adding that she was able to incorporate a new warmup into the Women’s Soccer team routine which has proven to be extremely effective for her athletes. “With the confidence and knowledge I have gained I am a more self-assured coach compared to last year.”