Jamaica, NY - Christopher Riley, the assistant coach at St. John's University for the past six years, has been named the head volleyball coach at Towson University.

In six seasons as an assistant coach under Joanne Persico-Smith, Riley helped to plan and execute all aspects of St. John's inaugural years as a Division I program. This included implementation of off-season training programs and recruiting. In addition, Riley was instrumental in the academic success of the team that had the highest G.P.A. in Division I in both 1995-96 and 1996-97.

While Riley was at St. John's, the Red Storm volleyball team boasted several Academic All-BIG EAST selections, one All-BIG EAST selection, two BIG EAST All-Rookie Team selections, three Rookie-of-the-Week selections and numerous BIG EAST Player-of-the-Week selections. Last season, the Red Storm had an overall record of 16-16 and a seventh place finish in the BIG EAST. Prior to his six years as an assistant at St. John's, Riley spent one season as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Jacksonville University.

A 1993 graduate of Jacksonville with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Riley played both ice hockey and golf at St. John's before transferring to Jacksonville in the spring of 1990. While at Jacksonville, he formed the men's volleyball club in 1991 and captained the team his senior year. Riley currently competes in beach and USA Volleyball indoor leagues and tournaments.

In addition to his college coaching experience, Riley also has also been the head coach for the Long Island-Big Apple (LIBA) Volleyball Club, a nationally recognized junior team, in Nassau, NY for the past three years.

He replaces Catherine Lavery, who led the Tigers to a 12-20 record and sixth place finish in the AMERICA EAST in her only season as the Tiger coach. She resigned in February. In her ten years as a head coach, including nine years at the University of Maryland of Baltimore County, Lavery compiled a 220-121 record.