Manhattan Head Coach Steve Masiello has announced that Michael Alvarado has been elevated to Assistant Coach while RaShawn Stores will now serve as a special assistant.

Alvarado spent the last two years as a special assistant to Masiello after completing his professional career. A former standout for the Jaspers from 2010-2014, he earned a pair of All-MAAC honors, scored 1,170 points and ranks sixth in school history with 159 steals and seventh with 363 assists. As a senior in 2013-2014, he helped lead Manhattan to 25 wins and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

“I am really excited to have a former point guard that has NCAA Tournament experience on staff as an assistant coach,” said Masiello. He has been crucial in the success of Manhattan Basketball and there is nothing like having one of your former players evolve into an assistant coach. We look forward to Mike’s leadership in recruiting, game preparation, player development and helping our student-athletes mature into successful young men.”

Stores will serve as a special assistant and working as a graduate assistant last season. The “pulse of the program” during his time as a player from 2011-2016, he was a part of two MAAC Championship teams in 2014 and 2015 and rose from walk-on to an All-American as a senior.

“Any time you can have a former player who has led you to two NCAA Tournament appearances stay with the family and then join your coaching staff, it makes your job as a coach a lot easier,” said Masiello. “RaShawn is someone who guys can identify with. He has walked in their shoes, been through the ups and downs of a student-athlete and understands what it takes to be successful. We are very excited about having him around our guys as a role model and someone as a mentor to look up to.”

Manhattan, which will be aiming for its third MAAC Championship in five years, will bring back nine letterwinners and three starters in 2017-2018.

http://gojaspers.com/news/2017/8/31/mens-basketball-masiello-announces-staff-promotions.aspx