St. Lawrence University announced a significant leadership shift in its basketball programs this week, as Chris Downs, the winningest head coach in the school’s men’s basketball history, will transition to guide the women’s team. The move comes after a storied 29‑season tenure that produced more than 400 victories and a legacy of excellence.
A Legendary Legacy
Downs’ impact stretches far beyond win totals. His squads earned 22 postseason berths, captured multiple conference titles, and two of his 1996‑97 and 1997‑98 teams were recently enshrined in the St. Lawrence Athletics Hall of Fame. The coach, a 1992 graduate of Oneonta State with a degree in elementary education, has also mentored countless student‑athletes who credit him with shaping both their athletic and personal development.
Expressing confidence in the new direction, Franco Bari, St. Lawrence’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, highlighted Downs’ ability to “build upon the proud tradition of Saints women’s basketball” while maintaining the program’s competitive spirit. Bari noted that Downs’ experience and deep connection to the campus community make him a natural fit for the role.
A Fresh Face in the Men’s Game
Riley Naclerio, a St. Lawrence alum and former assistant at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, will succeed Downs on the men’s side. Naclerio brings a blend of playing experience and coaching acumen, having contributed to WPI’s recent successes and maintained strong ties to the university’s basketball community. His appointment signals a continuity of leadership that the athletics department believes will keep the program competitive.
Downs, who is excited to “continue the program’s legacy of excellence,” also took the opportunity to reflect on his family life in Canton, where he lives with his wife Tonki and their three children, Andy, Christopher, and Winnie. The move is seen as a homecoming of sorts, blending his coaching ambitions with a desire to remain close to the region that has defined his career.
The transition underscores a broader trend of internal promotions within the university’s athletic department, where familiarity with institutional values and a commitment to sustained success are highly prized. As the Saints prepare for the upcoming season, both the men’s and women’s programs look to build on recent achievements while embracing new leadership.