Castleton State associate dean for athletics and recreation, Deanna Tyson, is pleased to announce the hiring of Paul Culpo as the men's basketball head coach. Culpo beat out more than 200 applicants to become the 19th head coach in Castleton history.

Culpo has spent the past six seasons at Hartwick, taking a team that went 2-22 his first season to 15-12 and an ECAC Upstate championship, the first in the program's history. He compiled a 49-102 record.

�We are very happy to have Paul on board.� Tyson stated. �Paul is committed to the Division III philosophy, and has shown the ability to recruit young men of high character and talent while at Hartwick. I have no doubts that he will do the same here at Castleton.�

Culpo has coached at all levels of basketball, including a stint coaching a professional team in Europe, and stops at Division I UMass-Amherst, and Division II Saint Michael�s.

Prior to Hartwick, Culpo spent two years as a member of the UMass-Amherst coaching staff, working under Head Coach Steve Lappas. While at UMass-Amherst, he assisted with the marketing, production and operations of the Steve Lappas Basketball School. He was also charged with the day-to-day directing of the men�s basketball coaches� office, including video exchange, scouting reports, recruiting and travel budgets.

Culpo spent three years as an assistant at Saint Michael�s, helping the Purple Knights to three consecutive postseason appearances. Culpo led much of the recruiting efforts that produced an NCAA Tournament bid and a 25-9 record 1999, and an ECAC Division II title in 2000 as the team finished 20-9.

Culpo graduated cum laude from St. Michael's with a bachelor of arts in American studies, and earned a master's degree in creative and critical thinking in education from UMass-Boston in 1996, while an assistant under coach Charlie Titus.

�I am excited to be a part of the Castleton community, which truly is a college on the rise.� Culpo said. �While I truly enjoyed my time at Hartwick, and will miss many of the people and players, this opportunity was just too good to pass up. With the brand new facilities, commitment from the administration and community support, we hope to be very successful, very soon.�