Gianpaolo Licata is heading into his second year in the Seattle University track and field as an assistant coach focusing primarily on the throwing events.

Licata most recently coached at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, California three years.  He led three different athletes to all-time top ten marks, two school records, and two league championships. He was also on staff in a Moderate to Severe Special Education classroom.

Licata attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he walked onto the track and field team. At UCSB, he participated in the throwing events, qualifying for the Big West Conference Championships. It was during his time at Santa Barbara that the history major realized he wanted to get into coaching, thanks in part to his coaches and mentors John Dagata and Bruce Kennedy. He also set high school records in the discus throw and joined the top ten list in shot put. 

Having recently moved to Seattle, Licata is a proud son of Sicilian immigrants and prides himself on hard work.