MEET THE STAFF
65 65
Ed Cooley
On March 22, 2011, Ed Cooley became the 15th head coach at Providence College. He came to Providence College after spending five seasons as the head coach at Fairfield University. “When Bob and I sat down with Mike Tranghese and we talked about what we were looking for in our next coach, we quickly agreed that the No. 1 candidate for Providence College is Ed Cooley,” Providence College President Fr. Brian Shanley, O.P. said. “I wanted a coach that could teach our players about the game of life. I also wanted a relationship builder and Ed is a relationship builder. He will connect with our players, our fans and the entire state of Rhode Island. I could not be more thrilled to have Ed Cooley as our basketball coach.” In seven seasons at Providence College, Cooley has posted a 144-94 mark (.608). In 12 seasons as a head coach, Cooley has a 236-163 (.591) record. When Cooley was hired in 2011, the Friars had finished under .500 in six of the 10 previous seasons and had been to just one NCAA Tournament (2004) in that 10-year span. Since his hiring, Cooley has led the Friars to six consecutive post-season tournament berths, including a school-record five straight NCAA Tournament appearances (2014-18), and he guided the team to the 2014 BIG EAST title. The 2017-18 season, provded to be another successful season for the Friars under Cooley as the squad made its team record fifth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament and produced another season with 20 or more wins (21-14). It marked the first time the Friars recorded five consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins since 1974-78. Providence finised tied for third in league standings with a 10-8 mark. The team had another strong performance at the BIG EAST Tournament, advancing to the championship game were the squad nearly knocked of eventual national champion Villanova before losing in overtime. One of the highlights for the squad was earning three wins over top-5 ranked teams. It marked the first time ever that the Friars accomplished that feat. In 2016-17, the Friars were picked ninth in the Preseason BIG EAST Coaches’ Poll after losing stars Kris Dunn and Ben Bentil to the NBA Draft. However, the Friars finished the year with a 10-8 mark in league play and in third place in the conference standings. To achieve that mark, the team overcame a 4-8 record in early February and won its final six BIG EAST Conference games to earn the third place finish. The Friars also posted a 20-13 record overall and earned an at-large berth to the squad’s fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament. It marked the first time ever the Friars had advanced to four straight NCAA Tournaments. In recognition of his efforts, Cooley was named NABC District 5 Coach of the Year. 66 664
Juniors Kyron Cartwright and Rodney Bullock were named 2017 Second Team All-BIG EAST. In addition, Cartwright became the third player in six seasons under Cooley to earn BIG EAST Most Improved accolades. During his time at Providence, Cooley has coached five All-Americans. He also has had players earn two BIG EAST Player of Year honors, two BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year accolades, three BIG EAST Most Improved Player awards, one BIG EAST Tournament MVP, five BIG EAST All-Tournament Team accolades, two BIG EAST All-Rookie Team awards and nine All-BIG EAST honors. In 2016, Cooley led the Friars to a 24-11 mark and a 10-8 record (fourth) in the BIG EAST in 2015-16. After finishing fourth in league standings for the third straight season, Providence advanced to the BIG EAST Semifinals for the third-consecutive year, which has only occurred one other time in the history of Friar basketball. Most importantly, the Friars earned their third-consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament, where the team registered a 1-1 mark, which included a First Round win over Southern California. It marked just the third time in the history of Friar basketball that the team reached the NCAA Tournament in three consecutive seasons. The squad also recorded 24 wins, which is the most since the 1996-97 season. With 24 wins, the Friars posted their third-consecutive season with 20 or more victories. Another milestone for the Friars was that they finished the regular season with 22 wins, which was the most since 1978 and just the sixth team all-time at PC to accomplish the feat. Cooley’s Friars also were ranked for 13 weeks during the season, including a No. 8 national ranking on January 4. It marked the Friars’ highest ranking in the Associated Press Poll since March 1, 1977 when the team was ranked No. 8. Two of Cooley’s players earned significant honors in 2015-16 and were both drafted as junior guard Kris Dunn (New London, Conn.) and sophomore Ben Bentil (Wilmington, Del.) earned All-BIG EAST accolades. Dunn also earned his second-consecutive BIG EAST Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. He also earned numerous All-America accolades and was named a Consensus All-American. Bentil became the seventh Friar all-time and the third under Cooley to lead the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 22.9 points per game. For his efforts, he was named BIG EAST Most Improved Player the second time a Friar has received the honor in Cooley’s five seasons at Providence. Dunn was the fifth pick overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves and became the fourth highest Friar drafted all-time in the history of the NBA. Bentil was selected 51st overall in the second round by the Boston Celtics.. In 2015, the Friars were picked fifth in the Preseason BIG EAST Coaches Poll. The team exceeded expectations when the squad placed fourth with an 11-7 record. It marked just the third time ever and the first time since 2004 that the Friars registered 11 conference wins. Overall, the squad posted a 22-12 mark and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons. The team also posted its second consecutive season with 20 or more wins for the first time since 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons. Senior LaDontae Henton (Lansing, Mich.) and sophomore Kris Dunn (New London, Conn.) paced the Friars in 2015. Both players earned First Team All-BIG EAST honors and Associated Press Honorable Mention AllAmerica accolades. Dunn, who led the BIG EAST in assists, ranked third in the nation in assists and fifth in the nation in steals. He was named the 2015 BIG EAST Player of the Year and he also earned BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Dunn became the first guard in the history of the league to win both honors in the same year. Henton, who led the BIG EAST in scoring in 2015 (20.1 ppg), finished his career ranked
second all-time in scoring at Providence (2,059 points) and fifth all-time in rebounding (1,054). He is just the second player ever at Providence to score more than 2,000 points and grab more than 1,000 rebounds. Cooley’s 2014 team was picked to finish sixth in the Preseason BIG EAST Coaches Poll, but overcame losses of personnel during the season to finish 10-8 and fourth overall. The Friars went on a run in the league tournament, posting three straight wins, including a thrilling 65-58 victory over No. 14 Creighton in title game. With the win, the Friars earned the league’s automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament and made their first trip to the Tournament since 2004. His 2014 squad was led by senior All-American Bryce Cotton (Tucson, Ariz.). Cotton had an amazing senior season in which he led the BIG EAST in assists (5.8) and finished second in scoring (21.8). He also led the nation in minutes played (39.9). He earned BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors and garnered his second consecutive First Team All-BIG EAST accolade. He finished his career ranked fifth overall in scoring at Providence with 1,975 points. His teammate, senior Kadeem Batts (Boston, Mass.) also was recognized for his stellar play as he was named All-BIG EAST Second Team.
It did not take long for Cooley to turn the Friar fortunes around. In his second season, he led the Friars to a 19-15 record overall and a 9-9 mark in league play. Included in the 9-9 BIG EAST record in 2012-13 was a 7-2 mark over the last nine games of the conference season. That impressive record marked the second best turnaround over the second half of the season in BIG EAST history. He then guided the Friars to the NIT where the squad posted a 2-0 record before losing in the quarterfinals to eventual NIT Champion Baylor. Leading the way for the Friars in the 2012-13 season were Cotton and Batts. Cotton was named All-BIG EAST First Team after he led the league in scoring. His teammate, Batts was recognized as a co-winner of the league’s Most Improved Award and earned All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention accolades. In his first season at Providence, Cooley led the Friars to a 15-17 mark overall. The team posted an impressive 11-3 mark in non-conference action, which included an 8-0 record at home. In league action, the Friars defeated No. 14/15 Louisville, 90-59. The 31-point win marked the Friars’ largest margin of victory ever over a ranked team. The squad also posted a 72-70 win over defending national champion Connecticut.
67 65
Ed Cooley
Ed Cooley The Cooley Facts File Full Name: Ed Cooley Born: September 10, 1969 in Providence, R.I. Family: Wife, Nurys; Daughter, Olivia; Son, Isaiah High School: Central High School (R.I.) ‘88 New Hampton Prep. (N.H.) ‘89 College: Stonehill ‘94, Major - History Seventh Year at PC: Sixth Year at PC: Fifth Year at PC: Fourth Year at PC: Third Year at PC: Second Year at PC: First Year at PC: Overall at PC: Overall at Fairfield: 12-Year CAREER: BIG EAST TOURNAMENT: BIG EAST LEAGUE GAMES: NON-LEAGUE GAMES AT PC: NCAA TOURNAMENT: 2017, 2018) NIT:
Two of Cooley’s players earned BIG EAST honors in his first season. Point guard Vincent Council was named All-BIG EAST Third Team and one of his first recruits, forward LaDontae Henton earned BIG EAST All-Rookie Team accolades. Cooley also has been involved with USA Basketball. In 2013, he served as a court coach during the USA U19 Training Camp for the World Championships. In 2014, Cooley served as an assistant coach for the USA U18 Team which captured a Gold Medal at the FIBA Americas Championship. Most recently, he was an assistant coach for the USA U19 Team at the World Championships in Greece in 2015. Cooley helped the team win a Gold Medal, his second in as many years. Prior to coming to Providence, Cooley guided Fairfield to a schoolrecord 25 wins and a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular season title in 2010-11. He was named the 2011 MAAC Coach of the Year. He also earned United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) District I Coach of the Year honors. His 2011 squad finished the season with a 25-8 mark (15-3 MAAC) and advanced to the second round of the NIT. In five seasons at Fairfield, Cooley’s teams posted a 92-69 mark, including a 58-32 record in MAAC action. Cooley became the first Fairfield head coach to guide the team to a .500 or better mark in MAAC action in each of his first five seasons. In 2009-10, he led the Stags to a 23-11 mark and the team’s first post-season berth since 2003. For his efforts in 2010, Cooley was the first recipient of the Ben Jobe Award, presented annually to the top minority men’s basketball coach in the nation. Prior to taking the Fairfield position, Cooley spent 10 seasons as an assistant coach for Al Skinner. He coached for one season at Rhode Island under Skinner (1996-97) and 68 66
nine seasons as an assistant at Boston College (1997-06), where the Eagles posted a 175-108 mark and advanced to five NCAA Tournaments and one NIT. Cooley also helped lead the Eagles to the 2001 BIG EAST Tournament title and three BIG EAST regular season titles (2001, 2003 and 2005). In 200405, Boston College started the season with a school-record 20 consecutive wins. In 2005-06, the Eagles advanced to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game against Duke. At BC, Cooley was instrumental in the recruitment of Troy Bell, a two-time BIG EAST Player of the Year. Bell also went on to play professional basketball after leaving Boston College, which included a stint in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies. A 1994 graduate of Stonehill College, where he was a three-time captain for the basketball team, Cooley began his coaching career at UMass-Dartmouth. He helped lead UMass-Dartmouth to a 25-4 mark and a No. 3 national ranking (1994-95). He returned to his alma mater, Stonehill, and served as an assistant coach for one season (1995-96) before joining Skinner’s staff at URI. Cooley, a native of Providence, attended Central High School and earned two Rhode Island High School Player of the Year honors. He also did a post-graduate year (1988-89) at New Hampton Prep. before attending Stonehill. He and his wife, Nurys, have one daughter, Olivia, and one son, Isaiah.
21-14/10-8 20-13/10-8 24-11/10-8 22-12/11-7 23-12/10-8 19-15/9-9 15-17/4-14 144-94 COOLEY FAMILY: 92-69 Ed, Nurys, Isaiah and Olivia 236-163 7-6 64-62 80-31 1-5 (2014, 2015, 2016, 4-3 (2011, 2013)
What They’re Saying About
Ed Cooley... “I love him. He was so classy when he was going to leave Fairfield. He called my wife and me and wanted to explain. I told him there was no explanation needed. This is a great place for him. He did a home visit with us and he’s just a good guy. That’s going to be a strong suit for him. I think he’ll do a terrific job. He’s going to be able to recruit, which is so important, and he knows the type of player he needs to win.” — Doc Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers Head Coach “Ed Cooley has an infectious personality, a driving spirit to work hard and win, and is one of the warmest people you’ll meet. You can scour the country and find plenty of hometown success stories of coaches coming back to their alma maters or places where they grew up. But there will be few that can match the authenticity of Cooley and Providence.” — Andy Katz, Fox Analyst/Senior College Basketball Writer “Ed Cooley has invigorated an entire city with his enthusiasm and his infectious personality has paid immediate dividends. There is a palpable buzz throughout the Northeast surrounding the Providence program and it started the day Cooley had his inaugural press conference. A Providence native, the boisterous head coach is constantly juggling , recruiting calls, speaking engagements, and anything else it will take to make his hometown school one of the elite programs in the BIG EAST. It’s all part of a daily grind that Cooley wouldn’t trade for anything.” — Jon Rothstein, CBS Sports Network “Some coaches just take jobs in college basketball, while some are made for their jobs. Ed Cooley is made for Friartown. He knows the state, he loves the city and he’s succeeded in New England recruiting his entire career. This is his dream job and he’s never thought about another one. When you talk to other head coaches in the BIG EAST, the underlying theme about him remains the same -- the guy was born to coach at Providence.” — Vin Parise
69 67
Ed Cooley The Cooley Facts File 2017-18 (21-14/10-8)...Team posted a 21-14 mark and advanced to the NCAA Tourney for a school-record fifth consecutive season...The team extended its streak of 20 or more wins to five consecutive seasons... It marked the first time the Friars recorded five consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins since 1974-78...Team advanced to the BIG EAST Championship game for second time under Ed Cooley...Squad finished tied for third in BIG EAST with a 10-8 mark...Team earned three wins over top-5 ranked teams for the first time ever. 2016-17 (20-13/10-8)... Team posted a 20-13 mark and advanced to the NCAA Tourney...The Friars finished third in the BIG EAST, with a record of 10-8 despite being picked 9th in the Preseason... Ed Cooley was named NABC District 5 Coach of the Year.. 2015-16 (24-11/10-8)... Team posted a 24-11 mark and advanced to the NCAA Tourney...The team won its first game in the NCAA tournament under Coach Cooley...The Friars finished fourth in the BIG EAST, with a record of 10-8... Team reached BIG EAST Semifinals for the third straight season. 2014-15 (22-12/11-7)...Team posted a 22-12 mark and advanced to the NCAA Tourney in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons...The team also posted its second consecutive season with 20 or more wins for the first time since 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons...Friars finished fourth in BIG EAST with an 11-7 record which marked just the third time ever and first time since 2004 the team recorded 11 league wins. 2013-14 (23-12/10-8)... Team posted a 23-12 mark and earned most wins since 1997...Captured its second BIG EAST Tournament title and first since 1994...Advanced to the NCAA Tourney for 16th time overall and first since 2004 before losing to No. 6 seed North Carolina, 79-77...Posted a 10-8 mark in BIG EAST play and finished fourth... Most wins in BIG EAST since 2009. 2012-13 (19-15/9-9)... Team recorded a 19-15 record overall and a 9-9 mark in BIG EAST play...Team posted a 7-2 mark in the last nine league games, which was the second best turnaround over the second half of the season in conference history...The team posted a 2-1 mark in the NIT and advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by eventual NIT Champion Baylor... Team earned its first post season win since 2003. 2011-12 (15-17/4-14)...Team recorded an 11-3 record in non-conference action, including an 8-0 mark at home... Squad defeated No. 14/15 Louisville, 90-59, which marked the team's largest margin of victory ever over a ranked squad. 2010-11 (25-8/15-3)...Team posted a school-record 25 wins overall and a record 15 victories in conference action... Captured the MAAC regular season title...Advanced to the NIT and posted a 1-1 mark...Named MAAC Coach of the Year...Earned USBWA District 1 Coach of the Year. 2009-10 (23-11/13-5)...Team's 23 wins were second highest in program's history...Became the first Fairfield coach to post a .500 or better record in MAAC action in each of his first four seasons...Team's 13 MAAC wins tied for tops all-time at Fairfield...Led the Stags to their first post-season win in more than 30 years...Team set an NCAA Div. 1 post-season record when it overcame a 27-point second half deficit to defeat George Mason in OT...Earned the Ben Jobe Award as the top minority men's basketball coach in the nation. 2008-09 (17-15/9-9)...Led the Stags to their first winning record since 2004...Team also finished tied for fourth in league play. 2007-08 (14-16/11-7)...Led the Stags to an 11-7 mark in MAAC action and a fifth-place finish...It marked the team's second straight winning record in conference action...Team posted a seven-game winning streak, the longest in 20 years (1986-87). 2006-07 (13-19/10-8)...Led the Stags to a 10-8 mark in MAAC action and a fifth-place finish in his first season as a head coach. Coaching Experience Record 2011 - Head Coach, Providence College 144-94 NIT (2013), NCAA (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) 2017 Selection Committe, USA Basketball U19 Team 2015 Assistant Coach, USA Basketball U19 Team Gold Medal, World Championship 2014 Assistant Coach, USA Basketball U18 Team Gold Medal, FIBA America Championship 2013 Court Coach, USA Basketball U19 Team Training Camp, FIBA World Championships 2006-11 Head Coach, Fairfield University 92-69 NIT, CIT 1997-06 Assistant Coach, Boston College 175-108 NCAA five times 1996-97 Assistant Coach, Rhode Island 20-10 NCAA 1995-96 Assistant Coach, Stonehill College 16-10 1994-95 Assistant Coach, UMass-Dartmouth 25-4
Coaching Honors 2017 - NABC Distric 5 Coach of the Year 2014 - Rhode Island Coach of the Year 2011 - Metro Atlantic Athletic Conf. Coach of the Year 2011 - U.S. Basketball Writers District 1 Coach of the Year
2010 - Ben Jobe Award, National Coach of the Year
ED COOLEY COACHING RECORD YEAR 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 Career
70 68
SCHOOL Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Providence Providence Providence Providence Providence Providence Providence 12 years
RECORD 13-19 14-16 17-15 23-11 25-8 15-17 19-15 23-12 22-12 24-11 20-13 21-14 236-163
PCT .406 .467 .531 .676 .758 .469 .559 .657 .647 .686 .606 .600 .591
CONF. REC. 10-8 (.556) 11-7 (.611) 9-9 (.500) 13-5 (.722) 15-3 (.833) 4-14 (.222) 9-9 (.500) 10-8 (.556) 11-7 (.611) 10-8 (.556) 10-8 (.556) 10-8 (.556) 122-94 (.565)
FINISH 5th-Tied 5th-Tied 4th-Tied 2nd 1st 15th 8th-Tied 4th 4th 4th 3rd-Tied 3rd-Tied One Title
TOUR. POST SEASON 0-1 0-1 1-1 2-1 CIT 1-1 1-1 NIT 1-1 0-1 0-1 NIT 2-1 3-0 - Champs. NCAA 0-1 1-1 NCAA 0-1 1-1 NCAA 1-1 0-1 NCAA 0-1 2-1 NCAA 0-1 11-11 One Title 5-8
Support Staff COOLEY VS. OPPONENTS (236-163) Team W L Albany 1 0 American (AH) 3 1 Army 2 0 Arizona 1 0 Austin Peay 1 0 Baylor 0 1 Belmont 1 0 Binghamton 1 0 Boston College 4 4 Brown 5 2 Bryant 3 0 Butler 8 3 Canisius 10 1 Cen. Arkansas 1 0 Central Connecticut 1 0 Charlotte 1 0 Chattanooga 1 0 Cincinnati 1 3 Colgate 1 0 Colorado State 1 0 Connecticut 1 4 Creighton 9 5 Dayton 0 1 DePaul 8 4 Drexel 2 0 Evansville 1 0 Fairfield 3 0 Fairleigh Dickinson 1 0 Florida A&M 1 0 Florida State 1 0 Fordham 2 1 George Mason 1 0 Georgetown 9 6 Grambling 1 0 Hartford 1 0 Harvard 1 0 Hofstra 0 2 Holy Cross 5 2 Houston 0 1 Houston Baptist 1 0 Howard 2 0 Illinois 1 0 Iona 6 4 Iowa State 0 1 Kent State 0 1 Kentucky 0 2 La Salle 1 0 Loyola 8 4 Loyola-Chicago 0 1 Louisville 1 1 Maine 2 0 Manhattan 8 3 Marist 8 4 Marquette 5 7 Massachusetts 3 3 Maryland 0 2 Memphis 1 1 Miami 1 0 Michigan State 0 1 Minnesota 0 1 Mississippi 0 1 Mississippi State 1 0 Missouri 0 1 Navy 1 0 New Hampshire 2 0 Niagara 6 5 Norfolk State 1 0 Northern Iowa 0 1 North Carolina 0 2 Notre Dame 2 1 NJIT 2 0 Ohio State 1 0 Penn State 0 2 Pittsburgh 0 2 Providence 0 1 Rhode Island 6 2 Rider 5 7 Robert Morris 1 0 Rutgers 2 1 Sacred Heart 5 0 Saint Joseph's 0 3 Saint Louis 1 0 Saint Peter's 10 1 Savannah State University 1 0 Seton Hall 7 8 Siena 4 8 South Carolina 1 0 Southern 1 0 Southern California 1 1 St. Francis N.Y. 3 1 St. John's 9 5 Stony Brook 2 0 Syracuse 0 4 Texas A&M 0 1 UNC Asheville 1 0 USF 1 2 Vanderbilt 1 0 Vermont 3 1 Villanova 4 11 Virginia 0 1 Virginia Tech 0 1 Wagner 1 0 Wake Forest 0 1 Washington 1 0 West Virginia 0 1 William and Mary 1 1 Xavier 5 6 Yale 2 1 Total 236 163
JEFF BATTLE
ASSISTANT COACH
Jeff Battle enters his Fourth season as an assistant coach at PRovidence College
Jeff Battle enters his fourth season as an assistant coach at Providence College. Prior to coming to Providence, Battle had served as the Associate Head Coach at Wake Forest from 2001-14. Battle spent 13 seasons on the Wake Forest basketball staff, serving as associate head coach under Skip Prosser, Dino Gaudio and Jeff Bzdelik. Battle was instrumental in Wake Forest’s success over his 13 seasons as the Deacons reached a No. 1 national ranking in 2005 and again in 2009, won a school-record 27 games in 2005, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in 2004 and won the 2003 ACC regular season title. Wake Forest averaged almost 20 wins per season and made six NCAA Tournament appearances during Battle’s tenure. During his tenure at Wake Forest, Battle played a key role in the development of current NBA All-Stars Chris Paul (Houston Rockets) and Jeff Teague (Minnesota Timberwolves) as well as current point guard Ish Smith (Detriot Pistons). Battle helped bring a number of highly-ranked recruiting classes to Wake Forest. Wake Forest’s 2010 recruiting class was ranked No. 6 in the nation according to ESPN, while the Deacons’ 2008 class was ranked No. 3 in the country by Rivals.com. Battle also helped bring in the No. 10-ranked recruiting class in 2006, the No. 16 class in 2003 and the No. 30 class in 2007, all according to Rivals. Wake Forest’s 2012 recruiting class was ranked No. 21 in the country by ESPN. Battle went to Wake Forest after spending seven seasons at Xavier University as an assistant coach under Skip Prosser. Battle coached alongside Prosser for 14 years and at three different institutions. He was on the Loyola (Md.) College staff in 1993-94 when Prosser made his head coaching debut, then joined him on the sidelines at Xavier before going to Winston-Salem prior to the start of the 2001-02 season. Prior to Loyola, Battle was an assistant coach for three seasons at Delaware State from 1990-93. He also served as head coach at Caesar Rodney High School in Dover, Del. from 1986-88. Battle began his college coaching career as a graduate assistant at Delaware (1986-88) under coach Steve Steinwedel. As an undergraduate, Battle played four seasons at Marshall, helping the Thundering Herd compile a record of 82-38 from 1982-85. Battle was the starting point guard and a captain in his junior and senior seasons, guiding Marshall to two consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. Battle received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Marshall. He also received his master’s degree in physical education from Delaware in 1988. He has one son, Jordan.
BIRTHDATE: October 26, 1961 FAMILY: Son, Jordan (24) HIGH SCHOOL: Dobbins Technical High School ‘83 COLLEGE: Marshall ‘85 Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education Delaware ’88 Master’s Degree in Physical Education
COACHING: Assistant Coach, Providence, 2015-Present Associate Head Coach, Wake Forest, 2001-14 Assistant Coach, Xavier University, 1995-01 Assistant Coach, Loyola, 1993-94 Assistant Coach, Delaware State, 1990-93 Head Coach, Caesar Rodney High School, 1988-90 Graduate Assistant, Delaware, 1986-88
71 69
Support Staff
Support Staff
BRIAN BLANEY
IVAN THOMAS
Brian Blaney enters his eighth season as an assistant coach at Providence College. Before coming to Providence, Blaney spent three seasons as an assistant men’s basketball coach under Ed Cooley at Fairfield University. In his three seasons at Fairfield, the team posted a 65-34 mark (.657). Blaney helped the Stags post a school-record 25 wins and capture a Metro Atlantic regular season title in 2010-11. The team finished with a 25-8 mark and advanced to the second round of the NIT. In 2009-10, Fairfield recorded a 23-11 mark and earned the team’s first post-season berth since 2003. Prior to coaching at Fairfield, Blaney spent four seasons as a member of the Loyola College basketball staff. He was an assistant coach with the Greyhounds for the first two seasons before moving into the associate head coach position for 2006-07 and 2007-08. Blaney was an assistant coach for one year at Miami (Ohio) University under Herb Sendek. He helped the team earn a berth to the 1996 National Invitation Tournament (NIT), and coached Wally Szczerbiak through his first year as a college player. From there, Blaney accepted an assistant coaching position at George Washington University, where he worked with Mike Jarvis for two seasons and Tom Penders for one year. During his tenure, the Colonials participated in one NIT (1997) and two NCAA Tournaments (1998 and 1999). After his three-year stay with George Washington, Blaney joined Nick Macarchuk’s staff at Fordham University. He stayed with Macarchuk when he took the Stony Brook University position, leading the Seawolves transition from Division II to Division I. Blaney stayed on staff for five years, leaving the program following the 2003-04 campaign. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., where he spent one season following his graduation from Roanoke College in 1994. At Roanoke College, Blaney helped lead the Maroons to a 61-20 record during his fouryear career, and a berth to the Division III Tournament as a senior. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology. He is the son of former coach George Blaney, who served as the head coach at the College of the Holy Cross and Seton Hall University and associate head coach at the University of Connecticut.
Thomas came to Providence College after serving as a head high school basketball coach for 13 years and as an AAU coach for the Boo Williams 17U Team for 13 years. He spent his first season with the Friars as the Associate Director of Player Development/ Video Operations. In June of 2016 he was promoted to Assistant Coach. In 2008, he became the head coach of Kecoughtan High School (Hampton, Va.) where he coached for seven years, registering a 127-60 mark. In 2010 and 2012, Thomas led Kecoughtan to the Peninsula District title. Prior to coaching at Kecoughtan, he guided the T.C. Williams High School (Alexandria, Va.) boys basketball team (200508). In Thomas’ three seasons at T.C. Williams High School, his teams posted a 75-9 mark and won the District title each season, including 2008 when the squad captured the state title and he was named Virginia Coach of the Year. In 2002, Thomas was named the head coach at Edison High School in Alexandria, Va. He coached Edison for three seasons. His first coaching position was at Schaumburg High School in Schaumburg, Ill. He was an assistant coach at Schaumburg for three years (1999-01), including 2000 when the team captured the Illinois State title. Thomas received his master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University `99 and his master’s degree in educational leadership from George Mason University `03, as well as his bachelor’s degree in sociology from VCU `97. Thomas was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. He is married to Dr. Jennifer Miles-Thomas, and they have three children, Christopher, Taylor, and Jordan Thomas.
ASSISTANT COACH
BRian Blaney enteRs his eighth season as an assistant coach at PRovidence College.
BIRTHDATE: March 19, 1971 FAMILY: Wife, Tara; Daughter, Brooke (7) HIGH SCHOOL: St. John’s Shrewsbury ‘89 Worcester Academy ‘90 COLLEGE: Roanoke College ‘94 Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology 72 70 72 72
COACHING: Assistant Coach, Providence College, 2011-Present Assistant Coach, Fairfield University, 2008-11 Assoc. Head Coach, Loyola College, 2006-08 Assistant Coach, Loyola College, 2004-06 Assistant Coach, Stony Brook, 1999-04 Assistant Coach, George Washington, 1996-99 Assistant Coach, Miami (Ohio), 1995-96 Assistant Coach, Hargrave Military Academy, 1994-95
ASSISTANT COACH
ivan thomas enteRs his fourth season at PRovidence College.
FAMILY: Wife, Dr. Jennifer Miles-Thomas; Daughters, Taylor (15), Jordan (12); Son, Christopher (20) HIGH SCHOOL: Norview `93 COLLEGE: George Mason `03 Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership Virginia Commonwealth `99 Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling Virginia Commonwealth `97 Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology
COACHING: Assistant Coach, Providence College, 2016-Present Associate Director of Player Development/Video Operations, 2015-16 Head Coach, Boo Williams 17U Team, 2002-15 Head Coach, Kecoughtan High School, 2008-15 Head Coach, T.C. Williams High School, 2005-08 Head Coach, Edison High School, 2002-05 Assistant Coach, Schaumburg High School, 1997-00 73 71
Support Staff
Support Staff
BIRTHDATE: July 29, 1980 FAMILY: Wife, Melissa; Son, Cameron (7); Daughters, Kyra (9), Caylee (7) HIGH SCHOOL: Smithfield `98 COLLEGE: Providence College `04 Master’s Degree in Business Providence College `02 Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy, Minor in Finance EXPERIENCE: Coordinator of Basketball Operations, 2015-present Assoc. Dir. Of Player Development, Providence College, 2011-2015 Assistant Coach, Bryant University, 2008-11 Dir. of Basketball Operations, Providence College, 2005-08 Grad Assistant, Providence College, 2002-05 Manager, Providence College, 1998-2002
74 72
Kevin Kurbec
Chris Hagemann
Coordinator of Basketball operations
Assistant Athletic Trainer for Men’s Basketball
Kevin Kurbec, a 2002 graduate of the College, enters his eighth season at Providence College, under Ed Cooley. In 2015, he was promoted to Coordinator of Basketball Operations. Kurbec returned to Providence College in 2011 as Associate Director of Player Development/Video Operations after spending three seasons as an assistant coach at Bryant University for Head Coach Tim O’Shea. Kurbec’s duties at Bryant included individual guard development, recruiting and opponent scouting. Kurbec also served as Director of the Bryant University Team Camp each summer. Prior to working at Bryant, Kurbec spent 10 years at Providence College working with the men’s basketball program for Head Coach Tim Welsh. Kurbec was the Director of Basketball Operations for three seasons and was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the office. Another major component of his job was monitoring the team’s academic progress and serving as the liaison with the office of academic services. Kurbec also served as the co-director of the Tim Welsh Summer Basketball Camp. Kurbec spent three seasons (2002-05) as a graduate assistant with the men’s basketball program. As a graduate assistant for the program, he oversaw the student managers, coordinated the team’s meals at home and was responsible for the organization of the game scouting. Kurbec also served as the flim exchange coordinator for the Friars. As an undergraduate, Kurbec served as a manager for the squad for four years, including his junior and senior seasons when he was the head student manger. As a student manager, he assisted in many aspects of the program, including the ordering, issuance and care taking of the team’s equipment and gear. He and his wife, Melissa, their son, Cameron, and two daughters, Kyra and Caylee, reside in Cumberland, R.I.
BIRTHDATE: April 4, 1982 FAMILY: Wife, Kristin; Son, Topher (1) COLLEGE: University of Connecticut ‘07 Master’s Degree in Education Ithaca College ‘04 Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training and Exercise Science EXPERIENCE: Assistant Athletic Trainer, Providence College, 2018-Present Men’s Basketball Athletic Trainer, Providence College, 2012-18 Assistant Director of Sports Medicine, Fairfield University 2007-12 Head Football Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer, University of Connecticut 2005-07 Assistant Athletic Trainer, Colgate University 2004-05
Chris Hagemann enters his first season in the Friar Sports Medicine Department as an assistant athletic trainer for men’s basketball. He came to Providence College after serving as the men’s basketball athletic trainer for the past six seasons at Davidson College. During his tenure at Davidson, which began in 2012, Hagemann acted as a preceptor for UNC-Charlotte student athletic trainers and oversaw the work-study program for the athletic training room. He also worked as an athletic trainer for the 2013, 2015 and 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournaments, as well as the 2014 and 2016 NIT Tournaments. Hagemann was a four-year letter winner on the football team at Ithaca College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training/exercise science in 2004. After graduating from Ithaca, Hagemann spent one year as the assistant athletic trainer for men’s soccer, women’s basketball and softball at Colgate University. Hagemann also attended the University of Connecticut, where he earned his master’s degree in education with a concentration in sport management in 2007. While at UConn, he spent two years as the head football graduate assistant athletic trainer. He was appointed the assistant director of sports medicine at Fairfield University in 2007. Hagemann spent five years at Fairfield serving as the athletic trainer for men’s lacrosse, women’s soccer and golf. Hagemann and his wife, Kristin, and their son, Topher, reside in Cranston, R.I.
Nikola Knezevic
Matthew Garvey
Associate Director of Player Development/Video operations
Special assistant to the head Coach
Nikola Knezevic, a 2010 graduate of the University of California Berkley, enters his third season as the associate director of player development under Ed Cooley. Knezevic oversees all the team’s video operations, including scouting and game preparation. He also assists with and serves as a liaison with the team’s academic coordinator. Knezevic spent two years as a graduate assistant for the Friar men’s basketball program from 2013-15. While at Providence, he earned a master’s degree in education. As the graduate assistant for the program, he oversaw the student managers and helped with game scouting. While an undergraduate, Knezevic was a four-year letterman for the Cal basketball team. As a point guard, he helped guide the Bears to three NCAA Tournament appearances (2006, 2009 and 2010). Originally from Serbia, Knezevic played and coached professionally for the Basketball Club BKK Radnicki in Belgrade, Serbia from 2011-13. His first professional basketball playing experience was with the Basketball Club Hemofarm Stada in Vrsac, Serbia from 2010-11. Knezevic and his wife, Jovana, and their daughter, Hana, reside in Providence.
Matthew Garvey enters his first season as the Special Assistant to Head Coach Ed Cooley at Providence College. Prior to being named Special Assistant to the Head Coach, Garvey spent six years working with the Friar men’s basketball program. He was an undergraduate manager (2012-16) and a graduate assistant (2016-18) on Ed Cooley’s staff. Garvey oversees all content for the men’s basketball social media accounts, attends on and off-campus functions to assist with preparation for the events, and works in conjunction with the athletic media department to control video operations in the Ruane Friar Development Center. Garvey’s duties as a graduate assistant included developing scouting reports, supervising the 12 student managers and facilitating campus visits for recruiting candidates. Garvey also played an essential role as the Director of Operations for the Ed Cooley basketball camp. He served as a guest speaker, coach and marketing coordinator for multiple camps of 250 or more participants. Garvey received his master’s degree in education from Providence College in 2018 as well as his bachelor’s degree in economics with a certificate in business studies from Providence College in 2016. He is single and resides in Providence.
BIRTHDATE: February 16, 1986 FAMILY: Wife, Jovana; Daughter, Hana (2) HIGH SCHOOL: 5th Economy School, Belgrade COLLEGE: Providence College ‘15 Master’s Degree in Education of California ‘10 Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies EXPERIENCE: Grad Assistant, Providence College, 2013-15 Assistant Coach, BKK Radnicki, 2012-13 Associate Director of Player Development/Video operations, Providence College, 2016 - present
BIRTHDATE: March 10, 1993 FAMILY: Single COLLEGE: Providence College ‘18 Master’s Degree in Education Providence College ’16 Bachelor’s Degree in Economics Business Studies Certificate EXPERIENCE: Graduate Assistant for Men’s Basketball, Providence College, 2016-18 Director of Operations for the Ed Cooley Basketball Camp, Providence College, 2013-18 Student Manager for Men’s Basketball, Providence College, 2012-16
75 73
Support Staff
BIRTHDATE: September 13, 1970 FAMILY: Single COLLEGE: Columbia University ‘99 Master’s Degree in Applied Physiology University of Vermont ‘92 Bachelor’s Degree in History and Political Science CERTIFICATION:CSCS - Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist USA Weightlifting Coach EXPERIENCE: Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Providence College, 2003-Present Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Stony Brook University, 1999-03 Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, St. Bonaventure University, 1997-99 Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach, Columbia University, 1995-97 Assistant Men’s Varsity Basketball Coach, New York University, 1994-95 Physical Fitness Instructor, New York Athletic Club, 1992-94
Support Staff
Kenneth White
Marissa Mezzanotte
Head StRenGth & Conditioning
Academic CooRdinatoR foR Men’s Basketball
Kenneth White enters his 17th year as the Providence College’s strength and conditioning coach. White is responsible for all the strength and conditioning requirements for the College’s 19 varsity athletic teams. In addition to overseeing and working with all 19 teams, he works directly with the men’s basketball team’s strength and conditioning programs. Prior to coming to Providence, White was the head strength and conditioning coach at Stony Brook University. In 1997, he was hired as the first strength and conditioning coach ever at St. Bonaventure University, a position he held until leaving for Stony Brook in 1999. White began his career in strength and conditioning in 1995 as a graduate assistant at Columbia University. A 1992 graduate of the University of Vermont, White was a four-year letterman in basketball at the University of Vermont and was co-captain of the squad his senior year. He led the North Atlantic Conference in assist-to-turnover ratio for three years. For his efforts on the court, White was elected to the Catamount Hall of Fame on October 4, 2002. White received his master’s degree from Columbia University in 1999. White is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). He also has a Club Coach/Olympic Weightlifting Certification from USA Weightlifting.
Marissa Mezzanotte enters her seventh season working as the academic coordinator for the men’s basketball team. She is responsible for monitoring the academic progress, fostering the student-athletes’ academic growth and development, being an effective referral agent, and developing partnerships with faculty to promote student success. Mezzanotte came to Providence College with extensive experience in the field of academic support. Most recently, Mezzanotte spent four years as an Academic Skills Specialist at Bryant University. At Bryant, she worked with studentathletes to develop effective study skills and habits and taught time management, organization and planning. She started her career in academic support in 1995 as an instructional assistant for student-athletes at Boston College. Mezzanotte spent two years at BC before accepting a job at Northeastern University’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society. She worked as a training specialist, the associate director and eventually a consultant with the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Program at Sport in Society until 2008. A 1993 graduate of Boston College, Mezzanotte was a four-year letter winner on the women’s basketball team. She also received her master’s degree in Secondary Education from Boston College in 1997. A native of Blairstown, N.J., Mezzanotte resides in Cumberland, R.I. with her three children Owen, Mia, and Rex.
student managers
support staff
STEVE NAPOLILLO Senior Executive Associate Athletic Director External Relations
76 74
SUSAN GIBREE Senior Office Manager
DARRYLE EDWARDS II Graduate Assistant Perry Hall, Md. Maryland 2017 Marketing MA (Counseling) 2019
BIRTH DATE: February 19, 1971 FAMILY: Daughter, Mia (14); sons, Owen (16), Rex (11) COLLEGE: Boston College ’93 Bachelor’s Degree in History Boston College ’97 Master’s Degree in Secondary Education EXPERIENCE: Academic Coordinator Men’s Basketball, Providence College, 2012 - Present Academic Skills Specialist, Bryant University, 2008-12 Consultant, Associate Director, Northeastern University’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society, 1997-08 Instructional Assistant, Boston College, 1995-97 Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach, Babson College, 1995-97 Professional Basketball Player and Coach, Rhondda Basketball Club (Wales, U.K.), 1993-95
GREG FAHEY Graduate Manager Randolph, NJ Marist 2013 Sports Communications MA (Higher Education)
BACK ROW (left to right): Joe Calabria, Jack Donius, Joe Keller, Brian Flanagan, Sean Harnett, Anthony Canestrari, Ben Boffi FRONT ROW (left to right): Matt Fallon, Jack Manning, Casey Sullivan, Olivia Pastore, Alex Carriero, Andrew Ford, Gerard Matteis
77 75
College Administration
Director of Athletics
Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President
On February 1, 2005, Providence College announced the election of Reverend Brian J. Shanley, O.P., to serve as the 12th president of the College. Father Shanley assumed his duties at the College on July 1, 2005, and succeeded Reverend Philip A. Smith, O.P., who served as the College’s president from 1994-2005. Prior to his arrival at Providence, Father Shanley served as an associate professor in the School of Philosophy at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Father Shanley is a native of Warwick, Rhode Island. A parishioner at St. Gregory the Great Church, he attended local public schools, graduating from Toll Gate High School in 1976. In 1980, Father Shanley earned his undergraduate degree in history at Providence College. He holds a doctorate degree in philosophy from the University of Toronto, where he completed the Collaborative Providence in Philosophy and Medieval Studies. He also holds a master of divinity degree (theology) and the Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.), both from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. (Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception). Ordained to the priesthood in 1987, Father Shanley has devoted his entire career to teaching and administration in Catholic higher education. Following teaching assignments at Providence College and the University of Toronto, he began his tenure at The Catholic University of America in 1994, achieving the rank of associate
professor in 2001. Father Shanley’s first teaching assignment was at Providence College from 1988-91. He was an instructor of philosophy, and taught in the Development of Western Civilization Program. Father Shanley spent the fall 2002 semester as a visiting professor at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He previously engaged in a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Notre Dame’s Center for Philosophy of Religion in 1998-99. As the Regent of Studies for the Dominican Province of St. Joseph, Father Shanley holds a seat on the Provincial Council, a body of 12 Dominican Friars serving as cabinet-level advisors to the Prior Provincial. He advises the Prior Provincial on all matters pertaining to the intellectual and academic life of the Province and oversees the academic endeavors of members of Presidents of The the Province, including those College 1918-2016 in preparation for the priesthood and those engaged in Dennis A. Casey, O.P. 1918-21 graduate studies. William D. Noon, O.P. 1921-27 Father Shanley has been Lorenzo D. McCarthy, O.P. 1927-36 John J. Dillon, O.P. 1936-44 widely published in philosophy Frederick C. Foley, O.P. 1944-47 focused academic journals Robert J. Slavin, O.P. 1947-61 and has been a guest lecturer Vincent C. Dore, O.P. 1961-65 at a wide range of scholarly William P. Haas, O.P. 1965-71 conferences. Thomas R. Peterson, O.P. 1971-85 John F. Cunningham, O.P. Philip A. Smith, O.P. Brian J. Shanley, O.P.
vICE PRESIDENTS
Rev. Kenneth Sicard, O.P. Executive Vice President/Treasurer
Marifrances McGinn
Vice President/General Counsel
Gregory T. Waldron Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement
John M. Sweeney
Senior Vice President for Finance and Business/CFO
Rev. James Cuddy, O.P. Vice President for Mission and Ministry
Dr. Hugh Lena
Provost/Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs
Kristine Goodwin
Vice President of Student Affairs
1985-94 1994-05 2005-
Robert G. Driscoll, Jr. Associate Vice PResident/ Athletics DiRectoR
Entering his 17th season
as Providence College’s Associate Vice President & Athletics Director, Bob Driscoll has transformed and reinvigorated Providence College’s athletics program. Having established a vision of student-athlete success in the classroom and in the community while competing for championships, Driscoll maintains focus on leading, fostering and mentoring one of the nation’s most respected athletic programs. Over the past five years, Driscoll has been the architect of one of the most successful eras in the history of Providence College athletics. The Friars continued their success during 2017-18, with the men’s basketball team’s fifth-consecutive NCAA appearance. Providence finished in a three-way tie for third in the BIG EAST standings at 10-8, highlighted by a momentous 76-71 win over then-No. 3/2 Villanova at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. As the No. 5 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament, Providence’s run to the title game included three-consecutive overtime contests – a 72-68 win over No. 4 Creighton, a 75-72 triumph over top-seeded Xavier, and a 76-66 setback to eventual national champion Villanova. Men’s hockey continued its run with its fifth-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and fifth-consecutive 20-plus win season under Head Coach Nate Leaman. The Friars advanced to their first Hockey East Championship Game since 2001 with a 3-2 overtime win over Northeastern in the semifinals. Providence also advanced to the NCAA East Regional Final by virtue of a 1-0 win over Clarkson in Bridgeport, Conn. Sophomore defenseman Jacob Bryson earned Second Team AllAmerican and First Team Hockey East recognition, while teammate Erik Foley also earned First Team Hockey East Distinction. The team finished the season ranked seventh in the USCHO poll and ninth in the USA Today/ USA Hockey Magazine poll, marking the sixth-consecutive season that the program has earned a spot in the final national polls. Providence became just the third Division I school all-time to have both men’s basketball and men’s hockey programs earn NCAA Tournament bids in the same season for five-consecutive years. Women’s cross country secured its fifth NCAA Northeast Regional crown in the last six seasons, while Catarina Rocha captured the individual BIG EAST Cross Country crown. The Friars earned its 28th NCAA Cross Country Championships berth, finishing 16th overall at the event. Rocha, Brianna Ilarda, Millie Paladino, and Abbey Wheeler, All-Northeast Region honors after finishing in the top-25 at the NCAA Northeast
Regional meet. Paladino also qualified for the final of the women’s mile at the NCAA Indoor Championships, finishing sixth overall to earn First Team All-American recognition. Rocha and Wheeler both qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 5,000m event. Wheeler advanced to the final of the 5,000m, finishing 19th overall and earning Honorable Mention All-American accolades. Providence College ranked 107th in the final Learfield Directors’ Cup standings, finishing sixth among NCAA Division I non-FBS/FCS institutions and third among BIG EAST Conference members. The Friars picked up a total of 170.00 points. The men’s hockey program picked up the most points for the Friars (60) by virtue of its run to the NCAA East Regional Final. This impressive run kicked off when the 2013 women’s cross country team claimed the College’s second NCAA Championship. It continued with the men’s basketball team winning the 2014 BIG EAST Tournament title and advanced to the 2014 and 2015 NCAA Tournaments. The men’s hockey team made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances (2014 and 2015) for the first time in program history before claiming its first NCAA Championship with a dramatic, come-from-behind win over Boston University on April 11, 2015 at the TD Garden. It marked the College’s third NCAA team title and its first in a men’s sport. For the second time in his tenure, Driscoll was recognized as the Under Armour I-AAA Athletics Director of the Year at the 51st Annual National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) convention in June 2016. In June 2008, Driscoll also was named the 2007-08 Astro Turf Athletics Director of the Year for the Division I Northeast Region at the 43rd National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Annual Convention. The Friars also have excelled in the classroom, with Providence’s student-athletes combining for an average GPA of 3.22. After a school-record six Providence College athletic programs received Public Recognition Awards in 2014 as part of the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) program, three Friar teams earned the honor in 2015 and two teams, women’s swimming & diving and women’s tennis, earned recognition awards in 2016 and 2017. Multiple Friar teams have been honored in each of the 13 years the NCAA has given out the Public Recognition Awards. Aside from excelling in the classroom and competing for championships, Driscoll’s student-athletes are very active in the local community. Last year alone,
77 79
Director of Athletics Friar student-athletes combined for over 2,000 hours of community service, raising $28,880. Providence was named a runner-up for the 2018 NACDA Community Service Award, earning $5,000 to donate to local charities. One of the biggest impacts Driscoll has had on the Providence College Athletics Department, and the College as a whole, has been with facility development, construction and renovation. Since his arrival in 2001, Driscoll has transformed the College’s athletics facilities. Construction was completed in the fall of 2015 to build Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium, where the men’s and women’s soccer and men’s lacrosse programs play, as well as a new softball field and tennis courts. Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium has also played host to the BIG EAST Lacrosse Tournament (2017) and the USILA North-South All-Star Game (2017-2018). Men’s soccer also played host to a BIG EAST Semifinal and a NCAA First Round game at Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium in 2016. Women’s soccer finished 7-3-0 in their inaugural season at Anderson Stadium in 2016. In December 2015, the College announced a historic gift to begin Phase I construction of the Ruane Friar Development Center, which will include a men’s basketball training and recruiting facility in addition to the College’s academic services space. Groundbreaking for the Ruane Friar Development Center took place on Oct. 1, 2016 in a ceremony held outside Alumni Hall. Phase I construction is expected to be completed in August 2018. In September of 2013, a state-of-the art renovation and 30,000-square foot addition project to Schneider Arena was completed. The project included new locker rooms, new coaches’ offices, a renovated press box, a state-of-the-art video board and sound system, luxury boxes, as well as a new hockey and lacrosse strength and conditioning room. The Ray Treacy Track was built over the summer of 2013 to give the men’s and women’s cross country and track programs an improved place to train and race, as well as serving the whole Providence College community. Taylor Natatorium also underwent extensive renovations in 2013. Other facility upgrades that have highlighted Driscoll’s tenure include an $80-million renovation of the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, which serves as the home venue for Friars men’s basketball. The project was the result of Driscoll working strategically with lead officials in the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island. The renovations enhanced the game-day experience by adding 20 luxury boxes, new seats, a video scoreboard, sound system, updated restaurant and concession stands, team store, locker rooms and new weight training/fitness areas. These renovations have enabled Providence College to serve as host for the First and Second Rounds of the 2010, 2016, and the future 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. Kicking off Driscoll’s vision for the improved athletic facilities footprint at Providence College, the Concannon Fitness Center, opened in August of 2007, adjacent to Lennon Family Field (Astroturf facility), which was completed in August 2005. A new Astroturf surface was installed on Lennon Family Field in the summer of 2017 in addition to a new videoboard in the summer of 2018. The Fitness Center houses the Friars’ Jimmy Walker Strength and Conditioning Center for varsity student-athletes, as well as administrative and coaching offices, conference rooms and locker rooms. Additionally, the Concannon Fitness Center serves the whole Providence College community and houses the recreation sports staff, furthering the bond between the campus community and Friar Athletics. Next, the Canavan Sports Medicine Center was completed in August of 2008. Driscoll established the athletic fundraising philosophy and department that has been instrumental in making program upgrades possible. He and his staff have exceeded fundraising goals on a yearly basis, including $6.4-million in cash donations during the 2017-18 fiscal calendar. The additional revenue remains critical to building and supporting championship programs and providing the best opportunities to Providence College’s student-athletes. The funds Driscoll and his staff raise help directly support all 19 of Providence College’s Division I programs, the Friars Forever Fund and capital projects.
78
In the past, Driscoll has served as the President of the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association. He also has served as First Vice President and Second Vice President for the organization. Additionally, Driscoll represents the BIG EAST’s athletic directors on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council, serves as a mentor for the Division I-AAA mentoring program and serves on the Hockey East Television Negotiations and Marketing Committees. He previously served on the NCAA Division I Management Council, the NCAA Ice Hockey Championship Committee (Chair 2010-11) and was the Chair of the BIG EAST Athletic Directors in 2011-12. Driscoll also was an NCAA Fellows Programs Executive Mentor. Currently, Driscoll serves on the BIG EAST Finance Committee with the league’s other presidents and also is a Chair for the Hockey East Board of Directors. Driscoll joined the Providence community after 14½ years in athletic administration at the University of California, Berkeley, culminating in serving as the Acting Executive Director for Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports. Prior to that, he was Cal’s Executive Associate Athletic Director and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department, as well as overseeing football, men’s basketball, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s water polo, rugby, strength training, equipment and the sports medicine programs. Driscoll was hired at Cal as the Associate Athletic Director for Student Services, a position he held for five years. He then assumed the position of Executive Associate Athletic Director, at which point he was responsible for the administration of 27 varsity sports, a staff of 250 and a $36 million budget. Prior to coming to Providence, he served as the Acting Executive Director for Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports. During his tenure, Cal won over 20 national championships and competed in the Citrus, Copper, Alamo and Aloha Bowls. The Bears also finished as high as 12th in the NACDA Directors’ Cup. Before arriving at Cal, Driscoll served six years (1981-87) as the Athletic Director and Chair of the Department of Physical Education, Recreation and Intramural Sports at Mills College in Oakland, Calif. Prior to Mills, Driscoll was Assistant Athletic Director and Head Baseball and Hockey Coach at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. from 1977-81. Driscoll played hockey, where he was captain and team MVP for three-consecutive years, and baseball at Ithaca College (N.Y.). He received a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education in 1974 and his Master of Science in physical education/ psychology of sports from Ithaca in 1975. A native of West Concord, Mass., Driscoll was inducted into the inaugural class of Concord-Carlisle High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame (football, ice hockey and baseball) in 1993. He and his wife Cathy have three grown children.
Directors Of Athletics At PC Through The Years Francis A. Howley, O.P. - January, 1920 - December, 1925 Frederick J. Baeszler, O.P. - December, 1925 - December, 1933 Edward H. Schmidt, O.P. - February, 1934 - December, 1937 Robert G. Quinn, O.P. - December, 1937 - January, 1940 Vincent C. Dore, O.P. - January, 1940 - September, 1941 Aloysius B. Begley, O.P. - September, 1941 - June, 1971 David R. Gavitt - June, 1971 - July, 1982 Louis A. Lamoriello - July, 1982 - April, 1987 John M. Marinatto - August, 1987 - July, 2001 Robert J. Driscoll, Jr. - November, 2001 - Present