New York University's Men's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country/Track & Field and Men's and Women's Diving programs have each added a new assistant coach to their respective staffs.

Laurence Jolicoeur has been hired as an Assistant Coach for Men's Basketball, Joanna Thompson as an Assistant Coach of Cross Country/Track & Field and Christina Lu as a Diving Assistant Coach.

A former NCAA Division I and professional basketball player, Jolicoeur comes to NYU after founding and running his own basketball training company, Pro Reps Performance Inc., since 2018.

From 2011-13, Jolicoeur played professional basketball in Italy for Virtus Lucera (2011-12) and Olimpica Cerignola (2012-13). He won Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2011-12 and led Olimpica Cerignola in scoring during the 2012-13 season.

"We are excited to add Laurence to our staff," commented Head Men's Basketball Coach Dagan Nelson. "His playing experience at the highest level combined with his familiarity with NYU make him a wonderful addition. He will be a great resource for our current and future student-athletes"

A 2010 graduate of Manhattan College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science, Jolicoeur was a three-year member of the Jaspers' basketball team, averaging 4.6 points and 2.7 rebounds for his career. He is currently pursuing a Master's in Applied Psychology from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC), where he played one season on the basketball team as a graduate student.

"I am excited to help the next generation of players reach their full potential," Jolicoeur said. "I'm also excited to be in the best city in the world."

A 2015 cum laude graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology, Thompson was a four-year track & field and cross country team member and earned NCAA Division I All-America recognition three times and All-ACC honors 11 times.

"I am thrilled to have Joanna joining NYU in my first season here," said Head Cross Country Coach Tyler Deck Shipley. "Joanna has an unwavering excitement for the sport and is a tremendous resource on how to live a life that is conducive to success, both athletically and academically while in New York."

Thompson will complete her Master of Arts degree in Science Journalism from NYU in December 2021. Since 2019, she has worked as a freelance writer, with her works being published in Scientific American, Audubon, Atlas Obscura, and Live Science, among others.

"I'm so excited to help these talented young athletes realize their potential," Thompson said. "Running has been the most incredible cornerstone of both my undergraduate and professional experience. My goal as a coach is to help foster a similarly supportive, successful atmosphere at NYU."

A 2018 graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a double minor in Criminal Justice and Chinese, Lu was a four-year member of the Crimson Tide's diving team. She served as captain and was a finalist in the 10-meter platform event at the SEC Championships.

Prior to joining the NYU staff, Lu served as an assistant diving coach at another Division I program, Columbia University.

"I'm very excited to have Christina join out staff," remarked Head Diving Coach Todd Kolean. "She brings with her outstanding training options from Alabama and a new level of excitement that only comes with starting with a new group of athletes, especially with the young and talented group of divers we have right now."

Lu also currently serves as a Physical Therapy Intern at the Harlem Hospital Center while attending Hunter College to prepare for physical therapy school.

"I was a diving athlete for 14 years and loved the sport and everyone who helped me through my athletic career with all my heart," Lu said. "This opportunity to be a part of the NYU swimming and diving family means that I now can become one piece of the support network for other student-athletes in and outside the pool and classroom."