Mercy College Director of Athletics Pat Kennedy announced that Rashidi Aikens has become the women’s basketball program’s next head coach. He will also serve as Assistant Athletics Director for Student Services. Aikens, who comes from nearby Nyack College, has amassed over 12 years of collegiate coaching experience. In addition to his duties as head coach, Aikens will oversee Mercy’s new state-of-the-art fitness center operations.

Aikens has served as the head assistant women’s basketball coach at Nyack since March 2000. His responsibilities varied from training the team’s managers and overseeing the film exchange program to promoting the team through camps and coordinating practices and game plans.

In addition to his coaching duties, Aikens also served as the head strength and conditioning coach and fitness center manager at Nyack. He has also coached at the AAU level with the 13U Girls Hudson River Hornets program. From 2002 to 2010, Aikens was the head assistant softball coach at Nyack as well.

Aikens holds numerous certifications including merits from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and has earned a NCAA Division II Recruiting Certification. He is certified in CPR and AED, and is a Certified Personal Trainer, through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFFA).

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