Riverdale, NY — Chris Schortgen has been named the first head coach for the Manhattan University Men's Volleyball program, Director of Athletics Irma Garcia announced on Thursday morning. Schortgen's appointment is effective immediately as the program prepares for its inaugural campaign in Spring 2025.
"We couldn't be more proud to bring in the person and coach that Chris Schortgen is during this exciting expansion of Manhattan Athletics," said Director of Athletics Irma Garcia, who will lead the transition to 22 Varsity Division I sports—including men's volleyball—beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year. "We are excited to watch Chris hit the ground running to build a product that will make our whole community proud of our new men's volleyball program."
Schortgen, 37, arrives in Riverdale fresh off of serving as head coach of the Hunter College Men's Volleyball program the past three seasons. During his time on the Upper East Side, Schortgen led Hunter to the CUNY Championship Game in each season and was twice named CUNYAC Coach of the Year (2022, 2023). With Schortgen leading the program, Hunter retained its status as one of the top DIII programs in the northeast, posting an overall record of 47-28 (.627 winning percentage) under his leadership. This includes a perfect 14-0 CUNYAC record in 2023 and a combined mark of 37-3 across three seasons. Schortgen also had the opportunity to serve on the AVCA Men's Division III All-Region Committee representing CUNYAC while at Hunter.
Schortgen prides himself on being a player development coach which was foundational to his success coaching the Hawks program. At Hunter, Schortgen worked with 13 conference All-Stars, including the 2024 CUNYAC Player of the Year Cooper Moran as well as 2024 Rookie of the Year Kyle Foley. He also mentored the 2023 CUNYAC Player of the Year Matisse Lee-Maarek, and has worked with a pair of CUNYAC Libero of the Year award winners in recent years.
"I'd like to thank Director of Athletics Irma Garcia, President Dr. Frederick Bonato and the entire Manhattan University community for welcoming me to campus," Schortgen said. "It is an honor to lead our new men's volleyball program here at Manhattan…I am ready to work tirelessly to bring even more prestige to our Jaspers brand that has long been respected."
Before being hired by Hunter, Schortgen served on the coaching staff for Pratt University Women's Volleyball from 2018-2020. In 2019, he was named to the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Co-Coaching Staff of the Year for working with a Pratt team that went 20-8 which set a new school record.
Schortgen has made stops at the Hewitt School and Grace Church School where he served as head coach, and had a two-year stint as head technical director for Beach Elite Volleyball based in Virginia Beach. Over the years, Schortgen has been involved in youth programs throughout New York City.
Schortgen is a native of Virginia Beach where he grew up playing volleyball for the Coastal Volleyball Club. He later took his talents to University of Mount Olive where he was a setter and outside hitter from 2005-2006 for a program that was Division I at the time. Schortgen would later earn his bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2009.
Manhattan men's volleyball is the beneficiary of a $100,000 grant from First Point Volleyball Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to helping increase men's volleyball opportunities across the country. First Point has supported the development of 42 men's college volleyball programs, including the brand new program at Manhattan.
"Today's news is exciting for the entire volleyball community as Chris Schortgen is announced as Manhattan University's first head men's volleyball coach," said Wade Garard, Co-Founder of First Point Volleyball Foundation. "Congrats to Chris, to Irma Garcia and her whole administration for this hire and for the official start of the newest NCAA DI men's volleyball program."
For the 2025-2026 academic year there will be 31 Division I men's volleyball teams. Men's volleyball plays the majority of their games in the spring season along with some additional opportunities to compete during the fall. Manhattan will compete as an associate member in the Northeast Conference.
"Manhattan Athletics wants to extend our appreciation to First Point Volleyball Foundation for their commitment to prioritizing student-athlete welfare," Garcia said. "With the addition of Coach Chris Schortgen now official, we look forward to strengthening our relationship with First Point and to helping grow the sport of volleyball here at Manhattan University and beyond."
Boys high school volleyball is a fast-growing sport across the country having experienced a 16.24% increase in participation from 2022 to 2023, according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association. More than 77,000 boys around the country are currently playing volleyball on the high school level.
"I am humbled by the support shown to me and the program by the First Point Volleyball Foundation whose investment in us will be instrumental for the continued growth of men's volleyball nationwide," Schortgen said. "I look forward to building a program that earns the respect of my peers and will be a timeless foundation for our University for the years to come."
