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Pinto Named Women's Volleyball Interim Head Coach
New York University has hired a familiar face to head its women’s volleyball program. Chris Pinto, formerly an assistant coach for both the women’s and men’s volleyball squads, has been named interim head coach.
Pinto ascends to the role of interim head coach after serving the past two seasons as an assistant coach for the women’s team and the previous three on the sidelines with the men. He replaces Ed Caesar, who compiled a 284-97 (.745) mark during his nine seasons on the sidelines.
“I am excited to take on this new role in the program that I have been a part of for the past few years,” Pinto said.
The Violets had two of their most successful seasons with Pinto as an assistant. In his first year, NYU went 25-16 and won the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Metro/Upstate Championship.
Last season, the squad posted its best record (29-10) since 2006 en route to a berth in the NCAA Division III Championship, where it advanced to the second round. The Violets went 6-5 in the ultracompetitive University Athletic Association (UAA), won three in-season tournaments and posted their seventh 20-win season in the last eight years.
“I am looking forward to building on the success this program has experienced,” Pinto said. “We’re returning a strong core of student-athletes as well as a talented recruiting class.”
The men’s volleyball team has also found success with Pinto as an assistant. The Violets experienced a breakout campaign in 2008, winning the second-most matches in school history and finishing 23-8 overall. NYU made its first-ever trip to the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Tournament semifinals that year and was ranked #5 in the final CBS College Sports Network/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III poll.
“I have stated before that the strength of NYU is its people, students, staff and faculty,” said Christopher Bledsoe, NYU’s Director of Athletics, Intramurals and Recreation. “We are blessed to have Coach Chris Pinto on staff. He has demonstrated his ability to lead NYU volleyball as interim coach beginning today. The members of our women’s volleyball team are intelligent, strong and dedicated women. We will give them and Coach Pinto the support they need to move forward in a very positive manner.”
Prior to arriving at NYU, Pinto served as the head boys’ and girls’ volleyball coach at Walt Whitman High School in South Huntington, NY, beginning in 2004. He was named Suffolk County Coach of the Year and led Whitman to division championships in 2004-06. Pinto’s squad also earned the New York State Scholar Athlete Team Award in 2006.
A 2005 graduate of C.W. Post University with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education, Pinto is a native of South Huntington and currently resides in Huntington Station, NY.
