Meet the Coach

Jeff Santarsiero

In the past 19 years, Geneva College has experienced some its most successful basketball teams in school history. Since 1988, one constant has been present on the Geneva sideline. Jeff Santarsiero, who started his Geneva career as an assistant under Jerry Slocum, took over the reigns as head coach in 1996.  In his first 10 years with the Golden Tornadoes, Geneva made winning 20 games look relatively simple, as they set the school record with 10 consecutive seasons with at least 20 victories. The last two 20 win seasons coming with coach Santarsiero at the helm.

During Santarsiero’s reign as Geneva’s head coach, the Golden Tornadoes have consistently been in the hunt in the American Mideast Conference. Each of the past five seasons, Geneva has advanced into the AMC post-season. 

Coach Santarsiero has compiled a record of 190-152 as Geneva’s man in charge. Prior to arriving on College Hill, Santarsiero was the head women’s coach at his alma mater, Nyack College in New York. Santarsiero’s overall coaching record for his time at Nyack and Geneva is 262-195.“Geneva had such a tremendous reputation and tradition that it was a perfect fit for me,” Santarsiero said. “Coach Slocum came to Geneva from Nyack a year before I got here, but he spoke of the school so highly that my family and I were very excited to join their tradition. Anytime you get to come to a school where college basketball originated, it is a great honor to be a part of that tradition.”

A graduate of Nyack College, Santarsiero was a standout player during his college days. Recording 1,848 points on the college level, Santarsiero led the NCCAA in scoring during his junior season. In that same year, he finished seventh in the NAIA with a scoring average of 25.2 points per game. “There is no question that I felt a connection with our guys having gone through the same thing as a player,” Santarsiero said. “I would hope that they would see in me someone who has put in the extra effort to be successful both on the court and off. My kids understand what is expected of them and what they need to do to prosper at our level. Knowing that I was once in their shoes gives them a certain confidence in me that I can help them reach their individual goals.”

Earning a sociology undergraduate degree at Nyack, Santarsiero’s first job was as a travel coordinator for World Relief Corporation. He also worked as a social worker in New York City from 1983-89 before turning his attention to the coaching ranks.  He earned his Master’s degree in Sports Management from the United States Sports Academy in Mobile, Alabama.  “My academics was something that I took great pride in pursuing,” Santarsiero said. “Geneva has such a great standard of academic excellence that it is an easy sell for me during the recruiting process. Kids all over this region are aware of the academic reputation that Geneva has developed and the kids in our program make their studies their number one priority. They have to succeed in the classroom before they can even think of being successful on the court.”

In addition to his coaching duties, Santarsiero teaches in the Geneva Physical Education department. After serving as the East regional chair for the NCCAA for several years, Santarsiero began his tenure in 2005 as a vice-chair on the NCCAA national committee. “I think Geneva has so much to offer student-athletes,that I feel it is important for our kids to become as well-rounded as they can be. Our athletic mission statement challenges our staff to make the kids in our program physically, spiritually and academically strong. My involvement with the NCCAA has sent a message to our athletic programs of the importance of our affiliation with the NCCAA, in addition to our relationship with the NAIA.”

Coach Santarsiero returned to his alma mater in 2000 to join the Nyack College Sports Hall of Fame. Santarsiero, inducted for his outstanding achievements as a player, has set a very high standard of excellence on the basketball court. “I was truly shocked when I got the phone call about my induction,” Santarsiero said. “What a great honor anytime your alma mater recognizes the achievements that you work so hard to accomplish.”

“Geneva has certainly become home for my family and I. We have enjoyed so many great memories during the last several years. I am really excited about the possibilities that are ahead of us with this program.” Coach Santarsiero resides in Chippewa Township with his wife, Sue, and their two children Ashley and Drew.

Contact Coach Santarsiero by email at jsantars@geneva.edu.