Gia Trionfo Hooper’99
Inducted: 2014
Sport: Lacrosse
Position: Midfield/Low Attack
Jersey: #2
Athletic Accomplishments:
A Seahawk lacrosse all-star, Gia graduated as the school’sall-time leader in goals, assists, and points. Finishing her careeras a two-time All-America selection, she also was a three-timeAll-Region pick, a two-time Capital Athletic Conference (CAC)Player of the Year for 1998 and 1999, as well as a four-time firstteam All-CAC honoree and a two-time academic All-American. Giaguided her team to its first two CAC tournament titles in 1998 and1999 which led to the team’s first-ever NCAA Division IIItournament appearances in 1998 and 1999.
Career Highlights:
Gia was the first Seahawk lacrosse player to be selected twicefor CAC Player of the Year honors and four times for first teamAll-CAC. She and Tara Jensen Creamer ’99were the first Seahawk lacrosse players to be honored twice asAll-Americans.
Most Memorable Sports Experience at St.Mary’s:
"It’s a tie between the Mary Washington semifinal CACgame" and "the CAC Championship game we won beating Salisbury, ourother rivals". During the Mary Washington game. there was a raindelay during which the team parents got yelled at by the Seahawkslacrosse coach, Laura Biggs (aka “La”), and there wasan altercation in the parking lot. "We played a great game as ateam and won against our rivals, going on to win the conferencethat year." During the CAC Championship game against Salisbury, "wewere down by many goals and rallied to come back, winning the gamewith only two seconds left. It was amazing."
Most missed about playing at St.Mary’s:
"My teammates and coaches. There was and still is nothing likeit. We worked so hard and played so hard together, on and off thefield. We definitely laughed until we cried through many wonderfulas well as painful things. Home games. Parties at my place. Bustrips."
Words of Advice for Today’s SeahawkAthlete:
"There is time for everything if you stay present and focused.Just have fun and appreciate how precious these times are."
Since St. Mary’s:
Gia was an assistant women’s lacrosse coach at MarymountUniversity in 2000 with her former Seahawks coach, Laura Biggs.
At the time of her induction, Gia was a yoga teacher, owner ofBMore Yoga, LLC. and a founding partner of Karmic Consulting, astaffing agency. She is married to Eric Hooper, anenvironmental science high school teacher; they live in Reston, Va.and have a son, Jackson.
Involvement in your Sport Today:
"I coached after school with Laura Biggs and played clublacrosse for many years, but sadly have not picked up my stick forabout 10 years."
Other Thoughts/Memories:
"There are so many. The times we shared as a team areirreplaceable. We were truly a family. It was very special to be apart of a group of women who were so resilient, determined,intelligent, strong and dynamic. We supported each other, workedhard and had a blast doing it. I’m beyond grateful for mytime as a Hawk."
"I will always remember with gratitude the support I receivedfrom my coaches and my parents. They encouraged me to conductmyself with sportsmanship and respect and to be the best player Icould be."
Finally, "I will never forget Karaoke in Florida, the road tripwhen assistant lacrosse coach Chad Christian put diesel fuel in thevan, tree lines, spring break in "Cali", celebrations, fundraising,stories from Laura and getting yelled at by Chad!"
Current as of 10/2014
