Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/97177
AT H L E T I C S Elizabeth Tortorello-Nelson: Modeling a Life-Long Love of Athletics Athletics have enriched Liz Tortorello-Nelson���s life in countless ways. As a member of a large, close-knit clan growing up in Shorewood, Illinois, sports ��� and an enduring devotion to the Big Ten ��� created family traditions and bonds. Watching her mother, Lois, volunteer as a volleyball coach at St. Paul the Apostle grade school in Joliet, which Tortorello-Nelson and her sisters attended, taught Tortorello-Nelson about service and community involvement. Liz Tortorello-Nelson 18 L AT I N M AGAZINE Leading St. Francis Academy (now Joliet Catholic academy) to multiple state championship series and receiving a volleyball scholarship to the University of Wisconsin Madison and being part of the team as it built its reputation, won the Big Ten and played in the NCAA gave her confidence and a life-long love for her sport. Therefore a large part of Tortorello-Nelson���s mission as assistant director of athletics at Latin and head of the volleyball program is to share with girls the opportunities that are available to them through sports. ���There are so many opportunities for women in athletics these days, whether they want to play at the college level or in a club team,��� said Tortorello-Nelson. ���I do feel like an advocate. I want our athletes ��� both girls and boys ��� to take advantage of scholarships and programs and ways to stay involved in their sport beyond high school, hopefully for a lifetime.��� So as much as Tortorello-Nelson has been a presence on Latin���s volleyball courts, particularly as varsity girls coach for seven years, she also sees it as her job to encourage and counsel student athletes when she bumps into them in the halls, goes to their games or organizes their pep rallies. Yet Tortorello-Nelson came to coaching, and to Latin, somewhat by chance. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin and having trouble finding a job in her chosen field of communications, Tortorello-Nelson was invited to consider assistant coaching by Therese Boyle-Niego, a renowned figure in Chicago volleyball who was coaching at Loyola University. For the next 11 years, TortorelloNelson worked as an assistant and then head coach with the Ramblers. Coincidentally, as she was feeling ready for a break from the hectic