Chris Schortgen was announced as the first coach in the history of the Manhattan men’s volleyball program on October 10, 2024. Schortgen is working toward building a roster for the inaugural season in Spring 2025. The program will officially open its doors starting in the Fall 2025 semester.
Schortgen arrived at Manhattan after 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). Additionally, in that span, 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. The Hawks went 37-3, including an immaculate 14-0 in 2023, against CUNYAC competition across those three seasons.
At Hunter, Schortgen oversaw the development of 13 conference CUNYAC All-Stars, tutoring the likes of 2024 CUNYAC Player of the Year Cooper Moran and 2024 Rookie of the Year Kyle Foley. He also worked directly with 2023 CUNYAC Player of the Year Matisse Lee-Maarek, in addition to a pair of CUNYAC Libero of the Year award winners.
Before 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 formerly held the role of 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 took his talents to University of Mount Olive where he was a setter and outside hitter from 2005-2006 for a program that was in Division I at the time. Schortgen earned his bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2009.
"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 which issued a $100,000 grant to help start the Manhattan men’s volleyball program. "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."
