Following-up on something that HoopDirt.com first mentioned back on Tuesday (DAILY DIRT: New York Edition). Hartwick has made it official, and named Union College assistant Nick Ciresi as their new head men’s basketball coach. Here is the release from the college:
On Friday, Hartwick College Director of Athletics John Czarnecki announced the hiring of Nick Ciresi as the new head men’s basketball coach at Hartwick College. Ciresi emerged from a talented pool of applicants to become the 20th head coach in the 93-year history of the program.
Ciresi has spent the last seven seasons at his alma mater, Union College, where he served five as the men’s basketball program’s top assistant coach, and the last two as the associate head coach.
“Nick visited Hartwick with a clear plan and vision for our program, a vision that focused on priorities that align well with the College and the Athletic Department,” said Czarnecki. “Everyone he met with was impressed with his commitment to bring Hartwick men’s basketball to the next level. Nick has a very bright future as a head coach and I’m glad he’s taking that first step with us.”
“I am honored to be named the next head men’s basketball coach at Hartwick College,” Ciresi said. “This is an opportunity that I am eager to embrace, at an institution with rich academic and athletic tradition. I would like to thank President Drugovich, Athletic Director John Czarnecki, and the entire search committee for their efforts throughout the hiring process. During my time on campus it was easy to see how special of a place Hartwick truly is. The athletic staff, administrators, and student athletes alike made me feel so welcomed, I knew it was the place I wanted to be. I cannot wait for my family to become members of the Hartwick and greater Oneonta communities.”
Ciresi helped guide Union to at least the Liberty League semifinals in four of the last seasons. The league championships in 2017 and 2018 led to a pair of NCAA Tournaments and first round wins in each one. Ciresi and head coach Chris Murphy were named the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year in 2017-18 when Union went 19-9 and tied for seventh in victories in a season in program history.
As a student-athlete at Union, Ciresi played men’s basketball from 2005-09. He was a captain his senior year and he led the Liberty League in three-point field goal percentage, shooting at a 56 percent clip in conference games. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2009 before spending two seasons as an assistant coach with the Dutchmen.
Ciresi moved on to Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham where he spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Devils and helped the team to three straight appearances in the MAC Freedom Tournament. Ciresi graduated from FDU’s Silberman College of Business with an MBA in management in May 2014 before returning to his alma mater.
“Friends, family, and specifically my wife, Elyssa, have helped get me to this point in my career,” added Ciresi. “I am so thankful for their support, and cannot wait for them to share in our program’s successes on Oyaron Hill. Go Hawks!”
Ciresi makes his head coaching debut on Saturday, November 6 at Lambros Arena against his former team, Union College.
