St. John's University Athletics
Chris Monasch Resigns after Decade of Service
5/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
May 28, 2015 QUEENS, N.Y. Â -- St. John's Director of Athletics Chris Monasch announced on Thursday he will resign from his position at the University effective June 30, 2015 to pursue new leadership opportunities. Monasch has overseen his alma mater's athletic program since 2005. St. John's will immediately begin a national search for his successor.
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St. John's student-athletes achieved many successes during Monasch's tenure leading the University's 17 NCAA Division I teams. The Red Storm made 29 NCAA Tournament appearances, won 10 BIG EAST Championships and nine regular-season titles, while student-athletes consistently excelled in the classroom and made significant contributions within the St. John's and local communities.
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"I am most proud of the many achievements of our student-athletes over the last ten years," said Monasch. "They have embodied what student-athletes should strive for in their respective sport, in the classroom and serving the community. Â I want to thank all of the coaches, administrators and staff for the support they gave to assist our student-athletes in achieving so much over the last decade."
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"We appreciate the many contributions that Chris has made to St. John's University particularly to our athletics program," said Conrado "Bobby" Gempesaw, Ph. D., President, St. John's University. "He has provided leadership to ensure the success of our student-athletes both on and off the field of play. He is a strong supporter of St. John's `Win, Graduate, Serve' philosophy, which has strengthened the foundation for the continued success of St. John's 108-year athletic history."
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Monasch executed several new initiatives during his tenure, most notably facility enhancements, strategic partnerships and the expansion of multimedia platforms. Carnesecca Arena underwent a multi-phase renovation, updating the facility that houses most of the St. John's Athletic Department. Medical, Strength & Conditioning and Academic Services were modernized to ensure first rate support of Red Storm student athletes. Â
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Monasch directed other major facility enhancements that included the new construction of The Courts at St. John's, as well as significant upgrades to Belson Stadium, the home of St. John's soccer, and Jack Kaiser Stadium, which was dedicated in 2007 to the St. John's Hall of Famer and serves as the home to the Red Storm's baseball team. DaSilva Memorial Track was also renovated and resurfaced in 2014.
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St. John's forged new partnerships with IMG College, Under Armour and launched the St. John's Television Network (SJU-TV) in conjunction with ESPN3 under Monasch. He positioned the department at the forefront of digital media and prioritized social media as a key component of the communications strategy.
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Monasch also led St. John's through the NCAA Certification process in 2009-10, which was a year-long self-study to review the department's governance and commitment to rules compliance, academic integrity, gender/diversity issues and student-athlete well-being. He has represented St. John's and the BIG EAST on the national level, serving as a member of the NCAA Leadership Council, NCAA Division I Baseball Committee and on the Board of Directors for the National Consortium of Academics and Sports. Monasch was recently the chair of the BIG EAST Athletic Directors group and finance committee.
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"We thank Chris for his dedicated service to St. John's University and for creating an environment for our student-athletes that promoted academic and athletic excellence," said Gempesaw. "He shared our collective vision to compete at the highest level in all facets of collegiate athletics with the University's Vincentian mission at the core. We wish him well in his future endeavors."
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"I look forward to the next chapter in my career and wish my good friends at St. John's much success in the future," said Monasch.
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St. John's University Department of Athletics
St. John's sponsors 17 varsity athletic programs with proud and storied traditions. A charter member of the BIG EAST Conference, three Red Storm teams won league championships during the 2014-15 academic year, as the BIG EAST continues to reemerge as one of the nation's most competitive conferences. Located in the entertainment and media capital of the world, the Red Storm bears the moniker of "New York's Team" with the men's basketball squad playing a percentage of its home games at "The World's Most Famous Arena," Madison Square Garden.
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St. John's student-athletes achieved many successes during Monasch's tenure leading the University's 17 NCAA Division I teams. The Red Storm made 29 NCAA Tournament appearances, won 10 BIG EAST Championships and nine regular-season titles, while student-athletes consistently excelled in the classroom and made significant contributions within the St. John's and local communities.
Â
"I am most proud of the many achievements of our student-athletes over the last ten years," said Monasch. "They have embodied what student-athletes should strive for in their respective sport, in the classroom and serving the community. Â I want to thank all of the coaches, administrators and staff for the support they gave to assist our student-athletes in achieving so much over the last decade."
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"We appreciate the many contributions that Chris has made to St. John's University particularly to our athletics program," said Conrado "Bobby" Gempesaw, Ph. D., President, St. John's University. "He has provided leadership to ensure the success of our student-athletes both on and off the field of play. He is a strong supporter of St. John's `Win, Graduate, Serve' philosophy, which has strengthened the foundation for the continued success of St. John's 108-year athletic history."
Â
Monasch executed several new initiatives during his tenure, most notably facility enhancements, strategic partnerships and the expansion of multimedia platforms. Carnesecca Arena underwent a multi-phase renovation, updating the facility that houses most of the St. John's Athletic Department. Medical, Strength & Conditioning and Academic Services were modernized to ensure first rate support of Red Storm student athletes. Â
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Monasch directed other major facility enhancements that included the new construction of The Courts at St. John's, as well as significant upgrades to Belson Stadium, the home of St. John's soccer, and Jack Kaiser Stadium, which was dedicated in 2007 to the St. John's Hall of Famer and serves as the home to the Red Storm's baseball team. DaSilva Memorial Track was also renovated and resurfaced in 2014.
Â
St. John's forged new partnerships with IMG College, Under Armour and launched the St. John's Television Network (SJU-TV) in conjunction with ESPN3 under Monasch. He positioned the department at the forefront of digital media and prioritized social media as a key component of the communications strategy.
Â
Monasch also led St. John's through the NCAA Certification process in 2009-10, which was a year-long self-study to review the department's governance and commitment to rules compliance, academic integrity, gender/diversity issues and student-athlete well-being. He has represented St. John's and the BIG EAST on the national level, serving as a member of the NCAA Leadership Council, NCAA Division I Baseball Committee and on the Board of Directors for the National Consortium of Academics and Sports. Monasch was recently the chair of the BIG EAST Athletic Directors group and finance committee.
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"We thank Chris for his dedicated service to St. John's University and for creating an environment for our student-athletes that promoted academic and athletic excellence," said Gempesaw. "He shared our collective vision to compete at the highest level in all facets of collegiate athletics with the University's Vincentian mission at the core. We wish him well in his future endeavors."
Â
"I look forward to the next chapter in my career and wish my good friends at St. John's much success in the future," said Monasch.
Â
St. John's University Department of Athletics
St. John's sponsors 17 varsity athletic programs with proud and storied traditions. A charter member of the BIG EAST Conference, three Red Storm teams won league championships during the 2014-15 academic year, as the BIG EAST continues to reemerge as one of the nation's most competitive conferences. Located in the entertainment and media capital of the world, the Red Storm bears the moniker of "New York's Team" with the men's basketball squad playing a percentage of its home games at "The World's Most Famous Arena," Madison Square Garden.
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