Lehman College, CUNY Women's Softball

Michelle "Mickki" Curtin has been at the helm of both Lehman volleyball teams (men's and women's)  since 2023 and in each campaign the Lightning have reached the CUNYAC Post-Season Tournament. Curtin was named CUNYAC Coach of the Year, in her third season in charge of the Lehman men's side. She guided them to 16 victories in 2025, the most since 2015, and overall record of 16-10 (7-7 in CUNYAC).  Also, the Lightning defeated conference regular season and tournament champion Baruch College in the regular season conference finale, the only conference team to defeat the Bearcats in 2025.  Curtin holds a 38-40 overall record with the men's squad, while she also has two complete seasons (2023-24) with the Lehman women's side (9-35 mark). Curtin also has additional duties as interim co-coach for the Lehman softball team.  A long-time multi-sport athlete, Curtin has had a successful coaching career in several levels. In 2021, Curtin established the first-ever girls varsity volleyball team in The Portledge School leading the team to semi-finals in their second season.  She also had a tenure as head coach of The Knox School varsity volleyball teams from 2016-2020.    Curtin also doubled at the helm of the softball teams for both The Portledge School and The Knox Schools since 2015 leading them to the playoffs and semifinals every year. Curtin is also a head coach of a championship travel/tournament team at the elite fast pitch organization, Team Nitro Long Island who is highly regarded in the development of elite fastpitch players from the 10u level thru their recruitment years.  A 30+ year member (life member/firefighter/EMT) and at the Farmingville Fire Department, Curtin realized her passion for coaching when in high school playing varsity sports herself, where she was volunteering with middle school ages kids in the Special Olympics.  While attending college (John Jay) she was introduced to coaching as she oversaw local little league and continued proudly working with and developing talented female athletes. She continued to chase her passion and in 1998 Curtin co-founded a Not-For-Profit 501c3 charitable animal rescue organization known for their work in high profile cases (assisting the SPCA). She is the president/director of another Not-For Profit organization, (LIPSA) Long Island Pride Sports Association since 2018 working diligently to unite the LGBTQ and allies through sports.   In August of 2025, Curtin was appointed to the Division III Regional Advisory Committee.  It is a three year term.  

Mickki has been involved in the sport of Fastpitch for 40+ years.  She has played and or coached at every level and continues to do so today. Mickki coaches as a profession not as a hobby.  She is the Head coach of teams at Team Nitro Long Island, and interim head coach of LEHMAN college.  Mickki additionally coaches volleyball and is the head coach of not only the womens team, but of the mens team at Lehman college as well.   She believes being a good coach means staying current taking some of what was old school coaching that proves today to be successful and being open to learning new techniques that continue to develop players. Being a good coach is not about knowing everything its about being willing to continue to learn yourself because you cannot teach what you do not know.    From Mickki:  Good communication with your players is important, you must be able to connect with your team.  I do not think that motivation comes through demoralizing a player. You can point out a weakness through pointing out their strengths and constructive feedback. We as coaches have to be willing to grow and develop ourselves.  It is not just about knowledge of your sport, its about adaptability, leadership, effective communication and patients.  We can never forget that we are not just developing athletes. We are contributing factors in the development of young adult adults.  As said by college football commentator Lee Corso.coaching is not a not a job, it is a privilege.  That for me as a powerful reminder of my role and I think it is something that other coaches need to remember every time they step on the field, the court or in a locker room. We have profound impact, so have more than the obligation to the knowledge of your sport, have absolute sense of obligation to the human beings we coach.