Top-Moment Series: Men's Basketball Head Coach Aaron Galletta earns 200th career win

NEWTON, Mass. - Aaron Galletta has been an extremely successful and loyal Laser.

He completed his 16th year at the helm of the Lasell University men's basketball program in 2021-22. Since taking over the program in 2006-07, the team has competed in the semifinals of the GNAC Tournament 10 times and the Final Four of the NAC playoffs one time.

"I have been really fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach for a living and be around so many great players, assistant coaches and mentors," said Galletta. "It is truly a privilege to come to work each day to be around our players and staff and that is something I have never taken for granted."

In just his second season with the program, Galletta powered the unit to its first GNAC title and a berth into the NCAA Division III Tournament during the 2007-08 year. Lasell has posted double-digit conference wins nine times and gone 150-101 in the conference during his time as the leading voice of the program.

"I think the best teams and programs are player-led and we have had some amazing student-athletes come through this program," said Galletta. "It has been a privilege to see them develop both on and off the court over their time here at Lasell and to follow their success after graduation."  

The Lasers have also made noise in the ECAC Tournament during Galletta's tenure, earning runner-up honors in 2013-14, going to the semifinals in 2008-09 and reaching the quarterfinals in 2006-07. He has also led the team to 18 overall wins or more five times, including a 20-win season in 2007-08.

"I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the last 16 years," said Galletta. "I look forward to building more relationships and seeing more alumni find success after graduation." 

His outstanding resume continued into the 2021-22 season, as he guided the program to a 15-11 overall record and 11-7 mark in the GNAC. The team locked down the third seed in the GNAC Tournament, won a home quarterfinal-round playoff game and advanced to the semifinals.

During the season, EJ Day, Kevin Nunez and Kevin Vanderhorst reached 1,000 collegiate points, while being named to the GNAC All-Conference first, second and third team, respectively. Additionally, Day garnered National Association of Basketball Coaches Division III All-District second team recognition and Nunez was selected as the 16th pick by Indios de San Francisco, a professional team in the Dominican Republic, during the 2022 Liga Nacional de Baloncesto draft.

A special thing happened for Lasell's leader on Feb. 15. Galletta reached his 200th collegiate victory with a 65-55 triumph at Regis in Weston, Massachusetts. Galletta currently has 201 wins on his resume, all coming as the head coach at Lasell.

He has guided his team to play basketball the right way on offense and defense and served as a tremendous mentor for his student-athletes on and off the court. In all 16 of his seasons, Lasell has produced at least one All-Conference player. Galletta has also coached two Jostens Trophy finalists, a prestigious national honor which is voted on based on three criteria: basketball ability, academic ability and community service.

In addition to his coaching career at Lasell, Galletta's playing days were phenomenal. He graduated from Union College in 2002 as the program's all-time leading scorer with 1,949 career points. He led the Dutchmen as a senior to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, garnering numerous regional and national honors. He was named to the NABC All-American second team, D3Hoops.com All-American third team and was a finalist for the Jostens Trophy. In 2017, he was inducted into the Union Athletics Hall of Fame.

Director of Athletic Communications Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lasell.edu.

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