St. Joseph's (L.I.) names new women's coach

More news about: St. Joseph-s (L.I.)
Aug 04, 2020

St. Joseph's (L.I.) athletic director Melody Cope announced on Aug. 1 the hiring of Kerry Connolly as head coach of the institution's women's basketball program.  

Connolly, the assistant basketball director at Long Island Lightning and Island Garden Basketball, brings varied and extensive coaching experience to a program that made significant improvements in 2019-20, securing nine victories one year after registering only four.

He replaces Vicki Andruszkiewicz, who spent the past two years with the Golden Eagles. Similarly, she secured nine victories for SJLI one year after registering only four.

"We are excited to announce Kerry Connolly as the head coach for our women's basketball program," said Cope. "His experience at the collegiate and high school levels coupled with his ability to recruit top local talent will prove invaluable for our program. I am confident that he will lead the team to new heights in the years to come."

"I would like to thank Melody Cope and the search committee for entrusting me to be SJC's next women's basketball coach," said Connolly. "I am extremely grateful for the responsibility to lead and develop these student athletes and guide the program to future successes." 

In his role with the Long Island Lightning and Island Garden Basketball, Connolly oversaw more than 100 travel teams in the Metropolitan area, coached multiple youth teams, and supervised a number of large-scale out-of-state tournaments.

Connolly also served as the assistant coach of the Long Island Lutheran High School girls basketball team for the 2019-20 season, his second stint with the program, helping guide the team to a 22-1 overall record. Additionally, Connolly helped develop three All-Long Island players including the Long Island Player of the Year. 

In his first stint with LuHi, from 2009 to 2016, Connolly helped lead the team to three NYS Federation Championships and worked with three Long Island Players of the Year, two NYS Gatorade Players of the Year, and a McDonald's All-American.  

From 2017 to 2019, Connolly was an assistant with the Columbia University women's basketball team working directly with the program's point guards. In 2016-17, he served as video coordinator for Florida's women's basketball team primarily scouting opponents and developing recruiting content.

An accomplished trainer and tournament organizer, Connolly graduated from Molloy College with a B.A. in history in 2014.