Shay Berry, a veteran basketball coach with more than 20 years of experience, took over as head men’s basketball coach at Hunter College in September of 2011.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to join the team at Hunter College and return to New York City as head basketball coach of this great program,” said Berry of his appointment. “As a life-long assistant coach, I have been preparing for this moment and am very appreciative of the opportunity that Hunter College and Terry Wansart have provided me."
Berry joined the Hawks after a five-year stop at Division I Ivy League member Dartmouth College, where he was instrumental in all facets of the Big Green program, including skill development, game preparation and recruiting—an element Berry intends to heavily focus on at Hunter.
“I have been surprised by the nationwide name recognition of Hunter College and the academic caliber of student-athlete that this institution manages to attract. I fully intend to recruit New York City and New York State in addition to the national stage, thanks in part to scholarship opportunities such as the Macaulay and Thomas Hunter Honors Programs.”
No stranger to New York City, Berry served as an assistant coach at Fordham University during the 1999-03 seasons, after serving the team in the capacity as an assistant coach in 1997.
From 1991-96, Berry was an assistant coach at New York University where he would go on to help the Violets advance to the NCAA Division III championship game in 1994. While at NYU, Berry helped the Violets to a 111-26 record in five seasons and an impressive .810 winning percentage. In addition to his duties as an assistant coach, Berry operated as the head men’s golf coach and commanded the men’s junior varsity basketball team.
A 1989 graduate of Central Connecticut State University, Berry began his coaching career as an assistant at Yale University during the 1990-91 season and head coach of the Bulldogs’ junior varsity team.
A veteran camp organizer and clinician, Berry has helped manage and coach numerous international travel teams and has been instrumental in the NYC basketball community. Berry has worked countless sessions of the prestigious Five-Star Basketball Camp and has acted in the role of Director of Marketing and recently Executive Vice President for the camp.
Berry, a Rochester, N.H. native, represented the Ivy League on the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) assistant coaches committee. He has been a member of the New York State Coaches Association, Black Coaches Association (BCA), Trout Unlimited and The White River Partnership.
He currently resides in New York City and enjoys travel, music and fly-fishing in a mountain stream or the Gulf of Mexico.
Berry with 2011-12 Tri-Captains
2011-2012 Season
Under the tutelage of first year head coach Shay Berry the Hawks wrapped up the 2011-12 season with an 11-15 record overall and 6-6 mark in the CUNY Athletic Conference. The Hawks qualified for the CUNYAC/Con Edison Basketball as the overall fifth seed where they suffered a tough 68-66 overtime loss against the fourth seeded Baruch Bearcats in the quarterfinals. Hunter's overall record is incredibly deceiving—of the Hawks' 15 losses, five defeats were by five or fewer points and two of them came in overtime. Four losses this season came against teams in the Top 20 or receiving votes for inclusion. The Hawks did play well at the Sportsplex however, going 6-4 overall and 5-2 in conference games played on their home court.
“It was a very competitive season where we had many chances to push to the top of the league. With seven seniors, it was important to me that we provided the best experience and the greatest chance to win and we did that,” said head coach Shay Berry of the season.
Mark Courtien
Senior captain Mark Courtien nabbed a monumental post-season award when he was named the Burt Beagle Sportsmanship Award winner by the conference. The distinction capped off an already impressive season for Courtien as the Pelham native became just the 15th player in Hunter College men's basketball history to eclipse the 1000 point mark, by netting 10 against Ramapo College to achieve the feat.
The Hawks were extremely competitive in the CUNYAC and ranked among the top-five in several statistical categories. With an emphasis on stalwart defense, the Hawks delivered, leading the league in blocked shots with 55 as they averaged 4.6 per game. The Hawks scoring defense ranked third in the league, limiting opponents to an average of 66.6 points per game. The Hawks led the league in defensive field goal percentage, as opponents only managed to shoot .381 percent. With 67 made three pointers in league play, the Hawks ranked second in 3-point field goal percentage (.390) second only to CUNYAC conference champion CSI. Hunter cleaned up on the glass, coming second in rebounds as it averaged 41.3 per game. Furthermore, Courtien garnered national rankings as he closed out the season 15th in the nation in three point field goal percentage (42.8%).
“Establishing ourselves as the best defensive team in the league was important. We were able to change defenses and press as well as block shots. On the offensive side, I think our team did a great job of adapting to a new system and playing faster,” Berry added.
Berry with his 2011-12 seniors
Berry said, “I enjoyed this group of seniors and their leadership. I will always remember this group as my first senior class that I have had the distinction of coaching as a head coach.”
