BROOKLYN, NY - The Pratt Institute's Athletic Department has announced the hiring of Chris Thompson as its new Head Men's Basketball Coach and Recruiting Coordinator.

"I am very happy to welcome Chris to the Pratt community," said Director of Athletics Walter Rickard.  "From the very beginning and throughout the search process Chris demonstrated a passion to develop our student-athletes throughout their college experience on and off the playing surface.  Chris also showed his desire to integrate himself within the campus and engage our entire community, which is very important to us."

Coach Thompson comes to Pratt from the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ where he has been an assistant coach since 2016.  Thompson's focus at Stevens was on recruiting, scouting reports, creating practice plans and in-game adjustments.

Alongside Head Coach Bobby Hurley, Chris helped lead the Stevens Ducks to a 23-4 record, including a MAC Freedom Regular Season and Tournament Title, its first in program history as well as an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019-20.  Throughout Thompson's tenure at at Stevens, the men's basketball team recorded a 76-35 record and earned a conference tournament birth in each season.

Additionally, Thompson served as the Assistant Director of Recreation and Intramurals as well as Athletic Promotions & Marketing Director at Stevens. 

Thompson replaces Max Sass who led the Cannoneers program for the last four years.  Thompson will be responsible for all aspects of the men's basketball program as well as serve as the athletic department's recruiting coordinator. 

Coach Thompson will look to build off success from the 2019-20 campaign, both on and off the court. "The expectation is to make Winning Habits instinctual throughout this first year.  This philosophy goes into every area of the Pratt experience, including the classroom/studio, basketball program, extracurricular activities, being outstanding citizens at Pratt, and representing our institution."

Thompson also expanded on building rapport within the program.  "I am looking forward to creating relationships and bonds with our student-athletes that are integral in developing trust, which will be essential as we work toward our common goals both on and off the court."

Prior to Stevens, Coach Thompson served as an assistant coach at Elmira College of the Empire 8.  While at Elmira, Thompson assisted with recruiting, team travel, scouting reports and in-game adjustments. He also served as the Head Junior Varsity Coach.

Coach Thompson's collegiate coaching career began at St. John Fisher where he was an assistant coach from 2013-15.  During the 2014-15 season, he helped lead the Cardinals to a 25 win season including an NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance.  In 2015, Thompson was part of the coaching staff that was named Empire 8 Conference Coaching Staff of the Year.

Chris is a 2011 graduate from SUNY Plattsburgh where he served as a student assistant for the men's basketball program. He also holds a masters degree in literacy education from Elmira College.

"I would like to thank Walter Rickard and the rest of the search committee for entrusting me with the Men's Basketball Program at Pratt.  It became evident to me throughout the interview process that the vision of Pratt Athletics is to grow and expand into a department that provides their student-athletes with the opportunities to compete against Division III institutions at a high level, and the process of cultivating that is very exciting to me, stated Thompson."