PURCHASE, N.Y. – Following six years at the helm of the Manhattanville University men's basketball team, Chris Alesi has announced he is stepping down as head coach of the Valiants, effective at the end of July.

"I'd like to extend my deepest gratitude to Julene Caulfield for her fearless leadership and unwavering support these past six years," Alesi said. "Becoming a college head coach was the realization of a life-long dream, and I will always be grateful and forever indebted to Manhattanville University for affording me the opportunity. I've been fortunate enough to build some lifelong friendships with talented colleagues, and I will surely miss sharing in their successes. Above all, to my players and my staff, past and present: You have done more for me than I ever could have possibly done for you. Once a Valiant, always a Valiant. Thank you Manhattanville!"

Alesi was the seventh head coach in the program's history, serving from 2019 to 2025. In his six seasons, Alesi amassed an 80-57 record, with his .584 winning percentage the highest in program history amongst all coaches with multiple seasons with the team.

Under Alesi, the Valiants made the Skyline Conference Championship Tournament every year from 2019 to 2024 outside of the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign. Manhattanville made back-to-back runs to the Skyline Finals in 2022 and 2023, the team's first appearances in a conference tournament final since the 2008-2009 season. Alesi's Valiants also accepted an invited to the ECAC Tournament in three straight years from 2021 to 2023.

The 2022-23 Valiants went 21-8 under Alesi, the most wins by the program since 2006-07. Alesi developed six Skyline All-Conference selections, three All-Region players, three All-District nods and one Skyline Conference Player of the Year during his time at Manhattanville.

A search for the next head coach of the Manhattanville men's basketball team is currently underway.

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