| Ashlee Kelly | |
 |
Head Coach |
| akelly@mercy.edu | |
| 914-674-7504 | |
Ashlee Kelly was named head women's basketball coach and assistant athletics director for student services at Mercy College in June of 2006, and was elevated to co-interim athletics director in September of 2007. In her positions, Kelly directs the women's basketball program and serves as the department liaison for financial aid, admissions and academic advising. She also assists with compliance and the Student Athlete Advisory Council, while overseeing academic monitoring, the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills program and serve as the department's Senior Women's Administrator.
Kelly carries a strong basketball pedigree, playing four years (2000-04) at Division I Quinnipiac University for highly-regarded head coach Tricia Sacca-Fabbri. She completed her stellar career with the Bobcats ranked second all-time in both scoring (1,580 points) and rebounding (1,107). Her career rebound mark was the fourth-highest in Northeast Conference (NEC) history. Kelly was named NEC Player of the Year during her junior season and was a two-time All-NEC First Team pick. She capped off her career by leading all NCAA Division I players in rebounding at 13.5 per game as a senior. One of the top interior players in league history, Kelly was named to the NEC's 25th Anniversary Women's Basketball Team in January.
Following her collegiate career, Kelly went on to sign a professional contract with the Perik Jumpers in Holland for the 2004-05 season. In her one year, she led the nation in scoring at 24 points per game and rebounding at 15 boards per contest, helping her squad to a 2005 National Cup championship.
Kelly began her coaching career as an assistant for the Connecticut Breeze U-13 and U-15 AAU teams for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. She then served as an assistant for a youth Dutch league while she played overseas in the fall of 2004 and spring of 2005. Since returning to the United States in the fall of 2005, she has served as a co-Head Coach of the Connecticut Storm U-15 AAU team. Kelly also served as director of Quinnipiac's women's basketball summer camps and has been an instructor at several other camps in the northeast.
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Kelly graduated from Quinnipiac in
2004, with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, earning Dean's
List honors three consecutive years. Her older brother, Don Kelly,
is an infielder in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
| John DeSio | |
 |
Assistant Coach |
| jdesio@mercy.edu | |
| 914-674-7504 | |
John DeSio was named assistant women's basketball coach at Mercy prior to the 2006-07 season. His responsibilities include assisting head coach Ashlee Kelly with the day-to-day operation and management of the program, on court coaching, recruiting, and community service projects.
His most recent coaching experience came at New York City College of Technology. He was an assistant coach for the women's basketball team from 2004-06. DeSio was the head recruiting and retention coordinator for the program. In the 2004-05 season the team went 12-12 overall, including a 7-6 mark in the CUNYAC, and was the South Division Runner-up.
DeSio also has collegiate experience as the head men's junior varsity coach at Fordham University from 1996-2000. At Fordham he worked alongside Bob Hill, who is currently the coach of the Seattle Super Sonics and a former coach of the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs. DeSio was the recruiting liaison between the varsity team and junior college and prep school students.
DeSio has served as the girl's junior varsity coach at Curtis High School, going undefeated on Staten Island and winning three championships from 2001-03.
DeSio also possesses vast experience at the AAU level. In 1995 he became the head coach of the Queens Lady Magic program. In 1997, DeSio coached the first New York City Parks and Recreation 14 and under team, winning the City Championship. He has also participated in the Nike and the Canadian/American coaches clinics.
DeSio, is a 1973 graduate of New York Police Academy. He is a
retired police officer after 25 years of service. In 2004, he
earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Community and Human
Services from SUNY-Empire State College. He is currently
pursuing a Masters of Sports Psychology from Capella
University. He and his wife Marcella reside in Staten Island,
New York.
