Sparkill, N.Y. - St. Thomas Aquinas College Director of Athletics Nicole Ryan announced on Thursday that Daniel Rockhill has been named Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach, taking the reins of the school's programs from former Head Coach Matt Capell, who was recently hired to lead the college's Men's Basketball team. Rockhill, who brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the position, served an Assistant Coach at Concordia College (1999-2021) and most recently at STAC last season.

In addition to Rockhill's promotion, Assistant Coach Neil Tarangioli has been elevated to the title of Associate Head Coach. Tarangioli brings a wealth of experience on the coaching scene, having guided Concordia College's tennis programs for over 40 years (1979-2021) and assisted both Spartan teams in 2022.

"Elevating Coach Rockhill and Coach Tarangioli to Head and Associate Head Coach, was one of the easiest decisions I have made as Director of Athletics", said Ryan. "I couldn't ask for a more successful duo to help take our tennis programs to the next level. Their commitment to excellence and to supporting our student-athletes on the court, in the classroom and in the community blends perfectly with the mission of the college."

Rockhill previously served as an Assistant Coach for both the Men's and Women's Tennis programs (1999-2021) at Concordia College and was recognized on six occasions by the ITA as the East Region Men's Assistant Coach of the Year (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2021), along with three occasions on the women's side (2013, 2018, 2021). He also was selected as the ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2010, 2013, 2018 & 2021.

Coach Rockhill earned his undergraduate degrees from Concordia College in 1990 and then graduated from New York Medical College in 1998. While studying at Concordia, Daniel played on the Men's Tennis team and served as captain in 1989-1990, where he was also ranked ninth nationally in doubles in NCAA Division II and was the only player in Division II history to win both singles and doubles conference championships in the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference and Metropolitan Collegiate Tennis Conference in the same season (1990). Rockhill was also ranked as high as #8 nationally in the USTA 35 and over division.

"I am grateful to both Athletic Director Ryan and President Daly for the opportunity to lead our St. Thomas Aquinas College Tennis programs", said Rockhill. "It will be an honor to further implement the mission for which I care deeply, while continuing to build leaders on the court, in the classroom and in the community. In addition, I am delighted to serve our great student athletes alongside a Hall of Fame caliber coach and dear friend, Coach Tarangioli. I am eager to get started and believe that special things are just ahead for these programs".

Tarangioli previously served as an Assistant Coach for the Men's Tennis program (1979-1981) and then the Head Coach of both the Men's (1981-2021) and Women's (2011-2021) Tennis teams at Concordia College. 

Among the many awards and accolades earned by Tarangioli over his 40 year career, his teams have won a combined 17 CACC Championships and have appeared in numerous NCAA Tournaments. Neil has been selected for 25 CACC, ECC/NYCAC Coach of the Year honors, and has been named ITA East Region Coach of the Year for Men’s Tennis on eight occasions (2005, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2021), along with two selections on the women's side (2013, 2021).

Coach Tarangioli earned a B.A. in History from Fordham University in 1977 and has served on several tennis committees, including the ITA East Region Men's and Women’s Awards Committees, the ITA East Region Men's and Women’s Ranking Committees and the NCAA East Region Men’s RAC Committee. He has also been a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association and a current member of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

"I am grateful to Matt Capell for bringing me to STAC last fall and for being to be able to work with this talented group of student-athletes, said Tarangioli. I have had an amazing 40 year career at Concordia and I am blessed to be able to continue my career at STAC, now in my new role as Associate Head Coach."