he Merrimack College athletic department on Monday announced Melissa “Missy” Traversi would take over as the head coach of the women’s basketball program.
Traversi arrives at Merrimack with more than a dozen years of coaching experience, most recently serving as the head coach at Army for four seasons (2021-25). Traversi takes over at the helm of the Warriors after the departure of Kelly Morrone.
“Coach Traversi quickly emerged from a highly competitive field of experienced coaching candidates,” Merrimack athletic director Joe Foley said. “Her passion and energy are infectious, she’s a proven winner, and she shares our values for holistically developing student-athletes. The future of Merrimack women’s basketball is bright under the leadership of Coach Traversi!”
Traversi went 65-54 during her tenure at Army. She led the Black Knights to the Patriot League tournament in three consecutive seasons, and her 25-win season in 2024-25 marked the season-most wins in program history. She also led Army to the program’s first win in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT). Traversi recruited and developed 11 all-conference selections, including a Rookie of the Year in the Patriot League. She has been recognized as a candidate for the Mike Krzyzewski Teaching Character through Sport Award.
“Something special is happening at Merrimack College and within the surrounding community,” Traversi said. “It is both a privilege and an honor to be named the next head coach of the women’s basketball program.
“I would like to thank President Christopher Hopey, Father Bryan Kerns, and Athletic Director Joe Foley for their trust and belief in me to lead this program. With great enthusiasm, I look forward to developing our student-athletes in their faith, character and competitive excellence both on the court and in the game of life.”
Traversi accepted the job at Army after she served as the women’s basketball coach at Adelphi University for five seasons. She compiled an impressive 83-37 overall record with the Division II Panthers, winning two NE10 Southwest Division regular-season championships and an NE10 Tournament Championship (2017) while earning two NCAA Division II Tournament berths. Traversi had a pair of 27-win seasons and was named the 2019-20 Division II Coach of the Year by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association.
She also led Wheelock College to its first winning season in program history (2015-16).
Prior to her coaching career, Traversi was a standout Division I player at the University of Maine (2001-05) and played professionally overseas.
A native of Attleboro, Mass., Traversi attended Bishop Feehan High School and was inducted to the school’s Hall of Fame. She started her coaching career in the high school ranks at Dover Sherborn High (2008-10) and Attleboro High (2011-14) with a brief stint as an assistant at Harvard (2010-11).
Tagged with: MAAC
