CUNY Hostos Community College

Christian Filpo was named head coach of the men's and women's Cross Country and Track & Field programs at Hostos Community College on January 20, 2022 by Director of Athletics Erik Smiles, and enters her second season at the helm of the Caimans in 2022-23.

Coach Filpo is tasked with building the new Track & Field and Cross Country program at Hostos. "Our addition of Track & Field and Cross Country for men and women was a strategic decision by our department as we believe it is not only a program that can be successful regionally and nationally on the track but also help build and sustain enrollment at the college as we look to expand our athletic department" stated Director of Athletics Erik Smiles. Smiles continued, "When we searched the position Chris stood out right away because of his passion for the sport but also his organizational plan to build the program and his love of the community."

"I am so proud to be part of Hostos Community College as the Men's and Women's Track and Field and Cross Country Head Coach and have the opportunity to build the program and add to the culture of Hostos athletics" stated Coach Filpo. Coach Filpo has a background in middle and long distance running and is an avid half and full marathon runner. Coach Filpo is also a certified strength and speed coach and has a passion helping athletes run longer, faster and for them to get stronger.

One of our very own from the Bronx, NY, Chris attended Trinity College in Hartford, CT, where he received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology and International Studies. As a basketball player all throughout high school and for the Trinity College Men's Varsity Basketball Team, he is now able to translate his passion to empower youth and student-athletes from his own community. He currently serves as Manager of Teen Programs at the Fresh Air Fund and as the Girl's Basketball Head Coach at Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School. Since Covid-19, he has been devoted to running marathons for his own personal mental and physical health, and strongly believes in passing down this foundation of taking care of both your body and mind to young adolescents. 
 
Out of college, Chris worked as an Experiential Education Facilitator for the Princeton-Blairstown Center, primarily serving students in the Mid-Atlantic states with an adventure-based curriculum to support their social-emotional skills. He later transitioned into a Bilingual Talent Acquisition Specialist and Account Executive for a number of years, while most recently serving K-12 schools and the public sector with their information technology needs. At Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School, Chris was an Operations Associate and obtained responsibilities in technology, operations, and academics at different capacities. Outside of coaching and supporting schools in the Bronx, Chris continues to be passionate in the development of youth from NYC in the classroom and beyond. He is very excited to help develop programs for teens and student-athletes, while guiding and mentoring them to become the leaders of tomorrow.
 
When Chris is not working, he is running around taking care of his can't-tell-me-nothing toddler and learning more and more from her each day.