Chris Aliano enters his first year as Senior Athletics Director for Development at Iona and comes to New Rochelle after a six-month stint at the Rutgers University Foundation, where he was a member of the R Fund's Premium, Corporate and Annual Fund Team. Over the last five years, he has served in roles overseeing fundraising and external relations in the athletics departments of nearby Wagner College and fellow Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference member Saint Peter's University.
While at Wagner, Aliano served as Senior Associate AD for External Relations with oversight of all revenue-generating initiatives and events, corporate partnerships, marketing and ticketing. He spearheaded the department's Day of Giving efforts in 2022 and 2023, averaging nearly $130,000 and 430 donors each year. He also helped secure gifts that were critical toward completion of two major locker room projects and orchestrated the successful return of the Sal Alberti Memorial Golf Classic after a four-year hiatus. Aside from fundraising, he served as the sport administrator for the men's lacrosse, men's golf, women's golf and spirit teams.
Before his arrival on Grymes Hill, Aliano spent three years at fellow MAAC member Saint Peter's University, where he served as the Associate Athletics Director for Digital Media and Communications. While in Jersey City, Aliano coordinated the external coverage of the men's basketball program's unprecedented run to the Elite Eight as the No. 15 seed during the 2021-22 installment of March Madness. He was responsible for all school-produced ESPN productions, which began upon his arrival, and oversaw branding/licensing, fundraising, marketing, and corporate partnerships.
Other stops over the course of his nearly 15-year tenure include Merrimack College (2012-19) and Bryant University (2011-12). Outside of college athletics, Aliano was a part of the New England College Baseball League's front office staff for seven years where he oversaw communications and broadcasting. Additionally, he spent summers serving as the play-by-play broadcaster for two collegiate summer baseball league teams, including the Wareham Gatemen (CCBL) and the North Adams SteepleCats (NECBL).
Aliano majored in broadcast journalism and graduated from Boston University in 2011 and finished his master's degree in sports management at Southern New Hampshire in 2018. He resides in New Milford, New Jersey, with his wife, Meg, and their son, Elliott.
