PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College Department of Athletics and Recreation, as well as Director of Athletics Ed Manetta, are proud to announce the hiring today, Thursday, August 15, of Chris Alesi as the next head men's basketball coach.
 
"We are supremely excited to officially welcome Chris into the Valiant family," Manetta said. "He is a local coach with deep ties to the Westchester area and the tristate region overall. He played for one of the area's best prep schools in Xaverian, moved on to a collegiate career split between two area programs at Queens and Baruch and finally built up a great resume coaching in the AAU ranks for nearly 10 years. Chris is thought of very highly in the basketball coaching circles and – having been around the game for his entire life and possessing a vast knowledge of the sport – will do a great job with our program."
 
A former collegiate player at both the Division II (Queens College) and Division III (Baruch College) levels, Alesi possesses a rich coaching background throughout the New York area AAU programs. Most recently, he served as head coach of the New Jersey Shoreshots AAU 16U program and assistant coach of the 17U program. Prior to that, he spent 2015-18 at the helm of the New York Renaissance AAU 16U and 17U teams. Before the NY Rens, Alesi served as the head coach of three separate New Heights Youth AAU programs – 16U from 2013-14, 15U from 2012-13 and 14U from 2011-12. From 2008-11 as well as in 2018, he served as the head coach for the Brooklyn Clippers AAU 17U squad.
 
Outside of AAU, Alesi was also the assistant varsity basketball coach at his alma mater, Xaverian High School from 2006-16 and the head freshmen coach from 2008-11. He was also a standout during his time at Xaverian as a player and is a member of their athletic hall of fame.
 
"I would like to sincerely thank President Michael Geisler, Ed Manetta and the entire search committee," said Alesi. "It is with great excitement that I accept the appointment as head men's basketball coach at Manhattanville College. Being a college head coach is the realization of a lifelong dream, and the opportunity to continue to build upon the excellent winning tradition established by Pat Scanlon and Ed Manetta is not one that I take lightly. We will always conduct ourselves in a first-class manner while striving every day to be champions both on and off the court. As Jeanne d'Albret once said 'to the valiant of heart, nothing is impossible,' and what a great day it is to be a Valiant – go Mville!"

Alesi is no stranger to the college ranks, and some of the top names around the game had nothing but amazing things to say of the Valiants' new head man:

"Chris is an outstanding young coach. He's a leader, motivator and has a high basketball IQ. He will bring integrity and passion to the Manhattanville basketball program."

Jay Wright
Head Coach, Villanova University (2001-present)

"I've known Chris for a long time and have seen him grown up in and around the game. I am extremely confident that he is the right fit for Manhattanville. Chris is a smart, passionate individual whose knowledge of the game will reflect well upon the program and translate to success both on and off the court."

Chris Mullin
Former NBA All-Star (1985-01)
Former Head Coach, St. John's University (2015-19)
St. John's men's basketball (1981-85)

"I have known Chris Alesi for 15 years and I can't think of a better choice to be the next head coach at Manhattanville. Chris comes from a great New York City basketball pedigree and was born and bred to be a basketball coach."

Dan Hurley
Head Coach, University of Connecticut (2018-present)
Former Head Coach, University of Rhode Island (2012-18)

"Most people think of Chris Alesi as a basketball junkie and an excellent coach. I see Chris as those things, but more importantly as family and a great person. He will be a tremendous leader for the student-athletes at Manhattanville."

Ty Jerome
Guard, Phoenix Suns (NBA)
University of Virginia men's basketball (2016-19)
2019 NCAA National Champion