Hilbert College

Kelly Starchok-Gillow  
Head Women's Soccer Coach
(716) 926-8797 
kstarchok@hilbert.edu

 Kelly Starchok-Gillow begins her first season at Hilbert College in 2011 after many successful years of college and club soccer coaching. Starchok-Gillow was appointed to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Strategic Alliance Matching Grant position which Hilbert received creating a first-time full-time women’s soccer coaching position on campus.

“The new position’s coaching responsibilities will allow student-athletes to have greater access and more interaction with their head coach, who oftentimes serve as a key mentor for college-level athletes.   This full-time position will also allow for more time and resources to identify and attract higher-caliber student-athletes to Hilbert, an aspect that will, in the long-run, enhance the program’s competitiveness,” said Viscomi. 

Starchok-Gillow brings over ten years of coaching experience along with team and coaching awards to Hilbert College. During her four years at Genesee Community College (GCC) , she led the Cougars to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) National Tournament in 2010 (runner-up) and became the NJCAA Division III District A Champions and Region 3 Champions in both 2009 and 2010. 

In 2007 and again in 2010, GCC earned the Western New York Athletic Conference championship as the 2009 squad was honored with the NJCAA Division III National Tournament Sportsmanship Award. 

Personally, Starchok-Gillow was named the NSCAA/Mondo Junior College National Northeast Coach of the Year (2010), the NJCAA Region III Coach of the Year (2009, 2010) and the New York State ODP Coach of the Year (2008). 

Starchok-Gillow served as an assistant coach at Canisius College (2001 – 2004) and as a head coach with the Empire United Soccer Academy (2001 to present). Beginning in 2006, Starchok-Gillow assumed a head coaching position with the Olympic Development Program a year before she became the head coach at GCC. Working at the Batavia, NY college Starchok-Gillow served as an adjunct professor in the Health and Physical Education division and expanded her responsibilities within the department by assisting as a co-sports information director.

Starchok-Gillow will also serve as the athletic department’s Compliance and Student Services Coordinator. She will oversee, and build on, a recently-launched program developed specifically for at-risk student-athletes at Hilbert College.   As the compliance coordinator, Starchok-Gillow will oversee all student-athlete eligibility matters.

Having graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Arts degree in early childhood development in 2001, Starchok-Gillow then earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Canisius College.  Starchok-Gillow currently holds her USSF National C License Certification.

Jenna Ferrando  
Assistant Women's Soccer Coach
(716) 926-8797 
kstarchok@hilbert.edu

“Jenna’s work ethic, dedication and passion for the game will be a great addition to the coaching staff here at Hilbert,” said Starchok-Gillow. “I know the type of person she is, and the energy she brings to work every day.” Ferrando will focus on defensive player development, day-to-day office operations and will assist with recruiting.

Ferrando lettered five times at Leroy High School in soccer and received All-Conference Awards her junior and senior year. She then earned her associates degree in criminal justice from GCC and helped the women’s soccer program reach new heights during her two years as a student-athlete. In 2008, during her second year, the team’s captain and 1^st Team All Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYCA) player guided the team to the Region 3 Championship, and the NJCAA Division III District A Championship. At the conclusion of her soccer career, the defender was named as the GCC women’s soccer Coach’s Award winner and earned 1^st Team All NJCAA Region 3 honors.

Ferrando continued her education and playing career at Buffalo State College, was named the Defensive Player of the Year (2010) and completed her four-year degree finishing with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Currently Ferrando is pursuing her master degree in criminal justice at Buffalo State.

Christa Windhorst   
Assistant Women's Soccer Coach
(716) 926-8797 
kstarchok@hilbert.edu

Completing Starchok-Gillow’s coaching staff is Christa Windhorst. Windhorst has a long soccer history of playing and coaching behind her and actually was a member of Starchok-Gillow’s club team, Team Germania early in her career.

In 1998, Team Germania went on to become New York State West Champions in 1998, with Windhorst in the net and Starchok-Gillow roaming the sidelines.

Windhorst began her collegiate playing career at Monroe Community College (MCC). The two-year starter in goal also showcased her leadership personality as a team captain. During her first year (2001) at MCC, the Tribunes won the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) national championship. Windhorst only let two goals get past her that entire season. After earning her associates degree in social work and human services, she continued her academic and athletic careers at SUNY Cortland. 

Windhorst had an outstanding stint on the soccer field at Cortland as a two year starter in goal and captain. She was voted SUNYAC player of the week twice and following her senior season, Windhorst was named the 2004 adidas Defensive Player of the Year. Windhorst received a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland in social work and human services.

Prior to joining the Hilbert staff, Windhorst served as assistant coach from 2005-2008 at her alma mater MCC. In 2005, history seemed to repeat itself when MCC won the NJCAA Championship with Windhorst a part of the team and enjoying the moment.

While at Hilbert, Windhorst will focus on goalkeeping, defense, as well as recruiting. Starchok-Gillow is happy to be working with Windhorst again: “Her knowledge and experience is top-notch when it comes to goalkeeping.  Her intensity will bring a new level of work ethic to our training.” It is no doubt that she will be an asset to the Hawks on the field this season.