Manhattanville College Men's Cross Country

Schaffer is back for his second season as the head coach of the Manhattanville men's and women's cross country and track & field programs in 2016-17.   In his first season at the helm of the Valiants, Schaffer helped Manhattanville athletes to 35 program record-breaking performances on the track and in the field, including 26 from the Valiant women's track teams. Under his direction, senior Shannon Roberts captured the Middle Atlantic Conference title in both the indoor and outdoor 200-meter dash, and also became Manhattanville's first-ever qualifier for the NCAA Div. III Indoor Championships in the 200 as well. Schaffer came to Manhattanville after spending three years as an assistant coach and Director of Operations for New Jersey-New York Track Club, working with legendary coach and USTFCCCA Hall of Famer Francis X. Gagliano. He helped to design and implement pre-, in- and off-season neuromuscular strength and stretch sessions for NJNYTC athletes on the track, in addition to scheduling competitions and assisting with budget, fundraising and recruiting aspects of the club.   As an undergraduate, Schaffer ran four years of cross country and track for Division I Monmouth University, earning All-Northeast Conference honors for the Hawks. He was a part of four NEC Championship squads while in West Long Branch, including two outdoor champions in 2009 and 2010. He graduated from the school in 2010 with a degree in health studies.   In addition, Schaffer is USTFCCCA Technical Coach Certified and is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist from the National Strength & Conditioning Association. He received his master's degree in exercise science from Montclair State University in 2015. Eric Schaffer is back for his second season as the head coach of the Manhattanville men's and women's cross country and track & field programs in 2016-17.