June 15, 2005

PHILADELPHIA - Chris Day has been named assistant women's basketball coach at Saint Joseph's University, Hawks' head coach Cindy Griffin announced today.

A familiar face around the Atlantic 10, Day spent last season as an assistant at La Salle under head coach Tom Lochner. While with the Explorers, Day was responsible for scouting, junior college recruiting, guard development and organizing community service projects. In his lone season at La Salle, he was also responsible for video coordinating and assisted with strength and conditioning as the Explorers earned a fourth-seed in the Atlantic 10 Championship, their highest since the 1996-97 season.

"We are very excited to have Chris be part of our Hawk Family," Griffin said. "His passion for the game, his ability to teach the game and his personal skills make him a great recruiter and coach."

In 2003-04, Day worked as an assistant on Dan Durkin's staff at Duquesne. Focusing on guard development, he helped hone the talents of Candice Futrell to the 2004 Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Year accolades and a third-round pick of the Connecticut Sun in the 2004 WNBA Draft. As a team, the Dukes won 10 conference games for the first time since 1998 and finished 16-13 overall.

Prior to going to Duquesne, Day helped build a successful program at Division III Widener University. After working as an assistant during the 1999-2000 season, day was appointed head coach in March 2000. Taking over a struggling program that had one winning campaign in its 17 previous years, the Pioneers went from 7-17 in his first season of 2000-01 to 14-11 in 2002-03. In his final year, Widener earned a spot in the 2003 Commonwealth Conference playoff, their first postseason appearance in 20 years. During his tenure, Day helped coach three student-athletes to all-conference accolades.

"Chris' experience both as a head coach and an assistant coach will enhance our program," Griffin said. "I am looking forward to having him on board."

Also at Widener, Day served as assistant football coach from 1998-2002. Over his five seasons, the Pioneers claimed the Middle Atlantic Conference Championship three times and earned a spot in the NCAA Final Four in 2000 and Elite Eight in 2001.

From 1995 to 1999, Day served as assistant varsity and head junior varsity girl's basketball coach at his high school alma mater, Archbishop Carroll. Day made his coaching head coaching debut in 1993, leading the Main Line AAU girl's basketball team (age 14 to 16) until 1997. After taking a season off, he returned to the ranks as head coach of Fencor AAU in 1998-99.

A 1997 graduate of West Chester University, Day was a four-year letterwinner in both football and track. On the gridiron, Day helped West Chester to two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference titles (1992 and 1994). A four-year all-conference sprinter, Day earned the 1995 PSAC Most Valuable Player award after setting the conference record in the 400-meter dash, a record that still stands today.

A native of Philadelphia, Day currently resides in Downingtown, PA with his wife, Megan, and their two children, Christian and Olivia.

"This opportunity given to me by Coach Griffin and Mr. DiJulia truly brings me to a place that I call home as I grew up only four blocks away from campus," Day said. "I am truly blessed for this chance and look forward to having many years of success here at Saint Joseph's University."

Day joins Lynn Milligan and Susan Moran on Griffin's Staff. He replaces Joe Logan, who resigned last month to take over as head coach of the Loyola (MD) Greyhounds.