Alumni Spotlight: Carla Pentimone '07

1/24/2019

Carla Pentimone '07 has turned a passion for hockey into a lifelong calling. Today, Pentimone, who cultivated her love of the sport during her time at Loyola, has used her enthusiasm for the game as a way to give back to others. Among her many endeavors, like completing the Madison Ironman in 2015 and serving as chair of the nonprofit organization Inner City Education (ICE) and the Amateur Hockey Association-Illinois Girls' Committee for USA Hockey, Pentimone is also lead instructor for the Chicago Blackhawks Blind Hockey team, a position she spoke about during a recent interview on Windy City Live. "I am very fortunate for my Jesuit education and the value of philanthropy,” she says. “Giving back to others makes my heart very happy."

Catch us up on what you've been up to since graduating from LA.

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a degree in business communications and then did my masters at Northwestern University. Thereafter, I worked for the Chicago Tribune for five years in the marketing department, all the while coaching hockey at various organizations such as the Chicago Young Americans AAA and the girls’ varsity team at New Trier High School.

Most recently, I took a full-time position with Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) as the ice hockey recruiting coach. Also, I am currently the associate head coach of Robert Morris University's women's ice hockey team and the girls’ director for USA Hockey's Chicago's American Development Model Club. Additionally, I give presentations to new aspiring coaches as one of USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program instructors.

Tell us more about your experience as lead instructor for the Chicago Blackhawks Blind Hockey (CBBH).

In November 2015, I stumbled upon the CBBH team on YouTube in its inaugural season and was so impressed that visually impaired athletes were playing hockey! I contacted Michael Svac, director of the new CBBH team. Mike asked me to come out to a practice on a Saturday afternoon, and I’ve been back every Saturday since!

What made me keep coming back as a volunteer is the persistence of the athletes. They want a challenge in life and to be pushed, and I treat them the same way as I do my elite and college teams. I am hard on them and push them to be the best they can be. It is a true hockey experience, and they love it. We run challenging practices where we do on-ice sprints, resistance workouts and hard body contact, which they love.

This experience has helped me realize that everyone on this planet has some sort of “disability,” although that’s not what I would call it. All people in all walks of life have their struggles, but in this case, the sport of ice hockey has brought us all together. I have seen my athletes come a long way, and I love to see their confidence skyrocket as the weeks and years go by.

How was your experience at Loyola formative in your path?

My experience as a student-athlete at Loyola as captain and lettering on the varsity hockey team was something I will never forget. Most fondly, I remember praying in the chapel, inspired by the beautiful portrayal of Jesus’ strength even through His crucifixion. My steadfast hope and faith, which was greatly instilled in my formative years at LA, are what I try to pass on to those I coach and mentor.

How does Loyola's motto women and men for others resonate in your life?

I am very fortunate for my Jesuit education and the value of philanthropy. I think that we can get a great deal of joy from seeing others being positively affected by what we can do for them. Happiness is based on happenstance, but joy is knowing that God is always with us and wants us to help our neighbors. Loyola teaches us to choose joy.

Were any teachers or coaches of particular influence or inspiration?

I had many inspirational teachers and coaches—Loyola’s faculty and staff continues to impress me! Most recently, I went to the Christmas concert to see my cousin Marie Tagliavia ’20 as the first chair of the orchestra. She had a great solo, and the entire performance was spectacular!

My high school coach Annie Camins, now the senior director of fan development for the Chicago Blackhawks, continues to inspire me. We went on to coach together at a number of the Blackhawks Youth Hockey Camps with NHL Announcer Eddie Olczyk as the senior lead coach. We even coached a Chicago Blackhawks sponsored Roller Hockey Camp in the Caymen Islands. Most recently, we coached the Chicago Blackhawks Girls Rule Camp with special guest and featured coach Kendall Coyne, U.S. Women’s Olympic 2018 gold medalist.

Another coach I’d have to mention is Kevin Delaney, currently the Chicago Blackhawks power skating coach, who specializes in skating and skills development for big name players like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and all of the NHL Chicago Blackhawks. Kevin also owns Delaney Hockey and gives back to our youth hockey community here in Illinois and serves as president of the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association (AHIHA). Kevin and I have worked together at AHIHA for the past three summers. I coordinate and coach games for the Women’s AHIHA Paralympic team. Last year, Kevin arranged for my coaching to be translated in American Sign Language to the Paralympic team.

What's next?

This spring through American International Sports, I’ll take an elite 16-and-under female ice hockey team to Sweden, Finland and Estonia for the Finland Cup, where we will compete for the gold medal! In June, we’ll compete in the United World Games in Klagenfurt, Austria, where the team took third place last year! Personally, I would like to find and marry the love of my life, maybe adopt a child in need—or whatever God has planned for my life. And hopefully a lot more traveling!

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Alumni Spotlight: Carla Pentimone '07

Loyola Academy