WEST HAVEN, Conn. – University of New Haven Interim Director of Athletics Jon Mays announced the addition of Chris Raffone, a longtime tennis professional in Connecticut, as the new Head Women's Tennis Coach.
"We are excited to welcome Chris to Charger Nation," said Mays. "Chris stood out to us during the interview process as someone passionate about creating a great environment for our student-athletes to participate and compete. He has immense experience across the landscape of tennis coaching and I look forward to seeing this program continue to grow under his leadership."
Raffone has been a mainstay on the tennis scene in Connecticut since 2001 when he began his coaching career as an Assistant coach for men's and women's tennis at his alma mater, Central Connecticut State University. Following the one season with the Blue Devils, he continued his collegiate coaching career as an assistant coach for men's tennis at Quinnipiac for three seasons before being named the head coach for boy's tennis at Amity High School in nearby Woodbridge, Conn. in March of 2007.
Over a 16-year career at Amity, Raffone built the Spartans into a yearly championship contender, including leading Amity to the Class L State Championship in 2015. The Spartans were no stranger from the state tournament, finishing as a two-time runner-up and overall advancing to the quarterfinals or beyond in all but two seasons while he was at the helm.
A four-time New Haven Register Coach of the Year (2007, 2011, 2015, 2019) and a two-time Connecticut High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year, Raffone racked up a 265-55 overall record with the Spartans.
In addition to his responsibilities at Amity, Raffone has also served as the Director of Tennis and co-Owner of the Oak Lane Tennis Club from 2012 and the Director of Tennis and Head Tennis Professional at Woodbridge Club, beginning that position this past May. Additionally, he is the co-owner of Adinolfi and Raffone Court Resurfacing, a tennis court resurfacing company he helped found in April 2017.
