New St. Joseph’s Bears Women’s Head Coach Joe Giacchi Pumped for 2023-24 Season 

Joe Giacchi was enjoying lunch when he received an email from then-St. Joseph’s University (Brooklyn-Division III) athletic director Margaret Alaimo about the vacant women’s basketball head coaching position at the school. 

Alaimo had received Giacchi’s name from a colleague after he interviewed for another head coaching job. The 32-year-old landed the gig, and the university officially appointed him to the post in May following longtime Bears coach Tom Flahive’s retirement. 

“I had no idea that position was open,” recalled Giacchi, who was formerly an assistant coach at DII Caldwell University in New Jersey from 2017 to 2023. “But this was something I wanted for a long time. I worked so hard for this opportunity. I’m super excited for this, and it’s going to be big for me.”

But Giacchi said he did not have the needed time to recruit players to St. Joseph, who posted a 11-13 overall record and went 8-10 in Skyline Conference action last season. 

However, making up for lost time, the Totowa, N.J., native worked feverishly to put together the best team possible. And he is happy with the current Bears’ roster going into the 2023-24 campaign, though it lacks some depth, now practicing with nine players, he noted. 

“I must have made 1,000 phone calls and emails,” he said with a chuckle. “Recruiting is tough as it is, and then when you add in time constraints, it’s even that much harder. But I think we’re good enough to compete. The core group is back. This is a group that can be competitive. 

“Unfortunately, we don’t have much depth. I imagine we’ll have two or three girls that are going to lead in minutes, and that will be by default,” added Giacchi, who also serves as assistant director of athletics/operations for Cadwell athletics. “My plan is to execute in the half court. We can’t run-and-gun because it’s tough to sustain that (with our lack of depth).” 

As for returning players, senior forward Destiny Hurt, who finished second on the team in points with 306 points in 20 contests, is back to lead St. Joseph. She also grabbed 170 rebounds and had 41 assists. 

”We’re expecting a lot of Destiny this season,” said Giacchi, who now resides in Hazlet, N.J. 

Sophomore guard Kristen Donovan is another strong player returning to the fold, as she drained 200 points, pulled down 111 boards, had 71 helpers and made 10 blocks in 22 contests last year. Junior guard Grace Kennedy, who poured in 205 points, collected 117 rebounds and dished out 48 assists in 23 games, will add a measure of experience and firepower to the Bears. 

As for its new players, St. Joseph will see action from Mercedes Perez (Taft High School), a freshman point guard from Texas who will start, according to Giacchi. 

“She’s a very good player,” he said. “I’m expecting a lot and excited to see her growth.”

Up next is Shanna Bliss, a JUCO player, whom Giacchi said she “brings some toughness.” Then there is Domenika Sanchez, an Ecuadorian player who Giacchi noted is a “really quick and crafty guard,” and Kat Barrios, a two -sport athlete (soccer/basketball). 

While Giacchi said it will be challenging to keep players fresh and productive with their short roster, he still believes St. Joseph’s can be a more-than-capable squad. 

“I have been talking about playing in March,” he said. “This is a new team, and we’re going to be the best we can.”

The Bears open the campaign against Pratt (Brooklyn) on Tuesday, November 7th, at 6:00 p.m. on the road against Pratt (Brooklyn). 

– Jerry Del Priore 

Follow me on X and Instagram @JerryDelPriore. 

Photo: St. Joseph’s University Athletics.