sports
Masiello Courts Success for Manhattan Basketball
S
teve Masiello has big plans for the men’s basketball program. After six years in training as an assistant coach at the University of Louisville under coach Rick Pitino, Masiello returns to the place where he was a key part of the Jaspers’ renaissance period, in which the storied 105-year-old program was built up to an arguably all-time high. Masiello served as an assistant at Manhattan College from 2001-2005 and helped lead the program to three postseason appearances in four years, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament (2003 and 2004). Most notably, it was the last time the Jaspers earned an invite to the Big Dance. During this incredible stretch, the Jaspers monopolized New York City sports media. Manhattan was not just a big name on the New York City college basketball map but also recognized nationally as a mid-major power. Masiello’s goal is to revive these glory days and start a new chapter for Manhattan basketball. He is determined to bring the Jaspers back to the upper echelon of college basketball through hard work on all fronts. “Anytime you can go to a place where you have experienced success firsthand, then you are already ahead of the game,” he says. “It gives you a blueprint of what worked before, and now it is time to duplicate it.” The 34-year-old White Plains, N.Y., native was no stranger to success during his six-year tenure at Louisville, where he garnered recognition as one of the nation’s top assistant coaches. In his last three years on the Cardinals’ bench, Masiello managed Louisville’s game preparation and scouting responsibilities. During this stretch, Louisville amassed a 76-29 (.724) overall record and 39-15 (.722) mark in the Big East. The Cards also captured the 2009 Big East Championship, entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed by winning 31 games and advanced to the Elite Eight. Known as one of the nation’s most renowned recruiters, he signed four top 20 classes during his six seasons at Louisville. With a brilliant eye for talent, he knows the type of player who will bring Jasper basketball back to prominence. Masiello attributes the College’s basketball program’s prosperous future to a strong and balanced coaching staff. Instantly after accepting the position, he began assembling a team that possesses a blend of collegiate and professional experience, as well as one that has experienced success at Men’s basketball coach Steve Masiello