NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – Ryan Woerner, who spent the 2010-11 season as an assistant women's basketball coach at NCAA Division I Cornell University, has been named an assistant men's basketball coach at the State University of New York at New Paltz, as announced by the Department of Athletics, Wellness & Recreation.

Woerner is charged with assisting with the day-to-day operations of the men's basketball office, providing on-court instruction during practices and games and serving as the program's recruiting coordinator.

"Ryan comes from a great coaching pedigree, and I am extremely excited to have him work alongside me to help elevate the men's basketball program to a new tradition of excellence,” head men's basketball coach Mike Rejniak said. “The fact that Ryan has Hall of Fame basketball coaching in his family roots, Division I coaching experience at Cornell University and local recruiting ties makes him a tremendous asset to the future of Hawk men's basketball. Ryan and I are great complements to each other as we pursue our goal of a SUNYAC championship. "

In spite of his youth, Woerner brings collegiate coaching experience to the table, as he was one of the youngest assistant coaches in all of NCAA Division I last year. While with the Big Red during the 2010-11 season, Woerner was tasked with assisting with recruiting, scouting, on-court coaching, player development and scheduling. One of his players, sophomore forward Clare Fitzpatrick, earned All-Ivy League Honorable Mention laurels following the conclusion of the season.

His path toward becoming a college coach began as a senior at Ithaca College, where he interned with the Cornell men's basketball team, learning from head coach Steve Donahue's coaching staff that led the Big Red to the Sweet 16 during the 2009-10 campaign. During the fall of his senior year of college, he worked as a sports marketing intern at American University, and from 2008-10, Woerner served as an assistant coach at Xavier High School.

Woerner has had extensive experience as a clinician as well. He has worked with camps and clinics put on by Hoop Group, Bob Hurley Columbia, Hofstra, Boston College and West Point.

Also an accomplished philanthropist, Woerner organized the annual Breezy Point Biathlon in 2005 as a high school student, and since its inception, the event has raised more than $50,000 in scholarships for Breezy Point residents.

“I am honored to join such an accomplished leader in Coach Rejniak as we establish a new brand of New Paltz Hawks basketball,” Woerner said. “I look forward to being able to develop these high-quality student-athletes at a great place like New Paltz.”

Woerner earned his Bachelor of Science in television radio from Ithaca in 2010.