Monmouth University Athletics

Chuck Ristano has made an immediate impact since joining the Hawks’ staff in the summer of 2005. In his first season, Ristano has mentored a pitching staff that set a school record in team ERA.

In 2006, Monmouth ranked eighth in the NCAA in ERA, registering a 3.34 mark, besting the mark set in 2005 of 4.21. The former collegiate pitcher has also held a watchful eye over two all-conference pitchers in his first season, as Brad Brach and Joe Cummings each earned honors.

Ristano arrived in West Long Branch after serving as an assistant coach at Sacred Heart University for the 2005 season. Ristano helped the Pioneers to their first-ever NEC Tournament appearance with a 16-8 league mark, second-place in the regular season. He worked with the Pioneers’ pitchers and contributed to recruiting and academic advisement.

During the summer of 2005, Ristano served as pitching coach for the New Bern (N.C.) River Rats in the Coastal Plains League, one of the nation’s top collegiate summer wooden-bat leagues, where his squad posted the second lowest ERA in the league.

Ristano graduated from Sacred Heart in 2004 with a degree in sports management. He was a four-year starter and two-year captain as a pitcher, earning 15 career victories with 200 strikeouts. He ranks in the top five in every major statistical category for his career at SHU. As a freshman, he crafted a 5-3 record with one save and 56 strikeouts. During his sophomore campaign, he logged a 3-2 record with two saves and 52 strikeouts. His best season for earned-run average and opponents batting average came as a junior in 2003 when he posted a 3.38 ERA and the opposition hit .261 off him.

The Valley Stream, N.Y., native spent the summer of 2002 pitching for Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League champion New Jersey Colts and in 2003 he pitched for the Thread City Tides of the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

Ristano, who will also serve as recruiting coordinator, resides in West Long Branch.