This bio is now a part of a historical archive, the individual was on the staff from 2011-2018 and is no longer employed by Wilkes University.
Chris Heery begins his seventh year at the helm of the Wilkes women’s basketball program for the 2017-18 season.
Heery led Wilkes to its most productive season in the last five years in 2012-13 as the Lady Colonels finished 11-14 overall including its first-ever win at the University of Scranton. He also coached 1,000-point scorer Megan Kazmerski and all-time assist leader Amanda Pawlowski who both reached their respective milestones the same year.
Two seasons ago Wilkes finished 10-14 as Heery coached two-time All-Freedom performer Elena Stambone who finished her career as the third all-time leading scorer in the school's history with 1,649 points.
Heery comes to Wilkes after spending six seasons as an assistant coach at Muhlenberg College under Ron Rohn. The 2005-06 season, his first in Allentown, saw the Mules have one of the biggest turnarounds in NCAA Division III history, going 26-3 after an 11-14 record the year before. The 26 wins was a school record, as Muhlenberg won the Centennial Conference championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament.
During his six years at Muhlenberg, the Mules posted a 131-31 overall record, claiming four Centennial championships, five NCAA tournament appearances, and two trips to the “Sweet 16.”
The 2008-09 team finished 18-0 in the Centennial, the conference's first ever unbeaten team. That squad finished the year 26-4, advancing to the NCAA tournament round of 16 for the first time in school history.
Prior to his arrival at Muhlenberg, Heery was the head coach at neighboring Cedar Crest College for five seasons. During his time there, Heery helped the Falcons set several team records while Heery was there, including most rebounds in a game; most rebounds in a season; most three-point shots made; and highest three-point percentage by a player.
During the 2000-01 season, Heery helped Angela Ensley lead Division III in scoring with a 26.1 average, while she finished third in the country in three-pointers made. Also in that season, Tiffany Stewart grabbed 346 rebounds (14.4 per game average), good enough for third in Division III.
A 1991 graduate of Kutztown University, Heery spent eight years coaching junior high basketball in Lehighton followed by nine seasons as a high school coach at Northwestern Lehigh in New Tripoli. Also an educator, he spent 15 years teaching middle school and another five years at the university level.
For the past 17 summers, Heery has honed his skills at Coach Wootten's Basketball Camp, as he's worked alongside legendary high school basketball and Hall of Fame coach, Morgan Wootten.
Heery lives in Lehighton, Pa. with his wife and four sons.
