Sparkill, N.Y. - St. Thomas Aquinas College announced on Thursday that Matt Capell will become its new Head Men's Basketball Coach, taking the reins of the school's program, following the departure of former Head Coach Tobin Anderson to Division I Fairleigh Dickinson University. Capell, who brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the position, served as the Associate Head Coach at STAC from 2013 until his promotion today.

"Matt has been an integral part of the success of STAC Basketball over the past nine years and was the clear choice to be our next Head Coach.  We are thrilled to have him at the helm of the program and look forward to his continued success.  Matt is a tremendous leader and role model who focuses on maximizing the potential of his student-athlete's both on and off the court," commented Director of Athletics, Nicole Ryan.  

Capell and his coaching staff will look to continue to build upon the winning culture that the St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Basketball program has enjoyed over the last nine seasons, including a 209-62 record during that span, with 5 ECC Regular Season Titles, 6 ECC Tournament Championships, 7 straight bids to the NCAA Division II Tournament, an NCAA East Regional Title in 2017 and a trip to the Elite Eight, also in 2017.

Along with great success on the hardwood, Capell has served as the Head Men's Tennis Coach (8 years) & Head Women's Tennis Coach (6 years). He led both teams to the NCAA Division II Regional tournament this season, along with notching the school's first-ever East Coast Conference Men's Tennis Championship this spring. The tennis programs have become a mainstay in the East Regional Rankings and have boasted multiple ECC All-Conference selections under Capell's leadership.

Prior to arriving in Sparkill, Capell served as an assistant coach at Division II Mercyhurst University for seven years, and served on the men's basketball staffs at Hamilton College (Div. III), Clarkson University (Div. III) and Alfred State College (Div. III).

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Capell will retain his title as Assistant Athletic Director for Community Engagement.

A Gasport, N.Y., native, Capell graduated cum laude from Alfred University in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He lettered in football, basketball and track & field, and completed his master’s degree in organizational leadership at Mercyhurst University in 2020.

"I would like to thank Athletic Director Nicole Ryan and President Ken Daly for giving me the opportunity to lead the men's basketball program at St. Thomas Aquinas College", said Capell. "It is a tremendous honor and privilege to be a part of this institution and basketball program, and I am thankful to be able to continue the tradition of excellence that has been established here."