Ricky Cusano is in his 17th season as an Assistant Coach at Marist College in 2021 after playing at Marist for four years and being a three-year starter at midfield/forward from 2001-2004.
He was a MAAC All-Academic Team Selection in 2003 and 2004 while also being named MAAC Offensive Player of the week on Sept. 14, 2003. He played in every game over his four years at Marist and finished his playing career with four goals and six assists. Cusano led Marist in assists in his junior year 2003. Cusano was a member of two Marist teams that made appearances in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship game in 2002 and 2004 as well as a MAAC semi-final appearance in 2003. He was a starting midfielder and member of the 2004 team that won the MAAC Tournament Championship and went on to play UConn in the NCAA Tournament College Cup.
After graduation in 2005, Cusano immediately joined the coaching staff. He served as an Assistant Coach to the 2005 MAAC Tournament Championship team that went on to play St. John's in the NCAA Tournament College Cup. Over the years, he has recruited and coached numerous All-MAAC First, Second, and Rookie Team selections as well as many All MAAC Academic Team recipients during his time as an assistant to head coaches Matt Viggiano (2007-present) and Bobby Herodes (2005-06).
Prior to Marist, Cusano was a five-time New York State Cup Champion with the FC Westchester 84's in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004. He also won two Region I Championships in 2000 and 2002, as well as the U16 National Championship in 2000 with FC Westchester.
Cusano attended North Rockland High School, where he was a four-year varsity starter. In his junior and senior years, he earned All-League, All-Section, and All-County recognition. He is among the all-time leaders at North Rockland in career goals and assists despite missing his entire sophomore season due to injury. He also played and was a starter for the Eastern New York Olympic Development Program (ODP) from 1998-2001 and was selected for multiple regional pool games. In the summers of 2004 and 2005, Cusano won two more open State Cup Championships with the New York Irish Rovers.
As a Head Coach with the LaGrange Soccer club, Cusano won two state cup championships in 2010 and 2011. Currently, he trains youth teams in the LaGrange and Cornwall soccer clubs and serves as a Head Coach in the Eastern New York Olympic Development Program. He holds a USSF National Coaching license.
Cusano earned his Bachelor's Degree in History with a Minor in Business and Minor in American Studies from Marist in 2005. He also earned a Master's of Business Administration with a Concentration in Executive Leadership from Marist in 2007. He is currently the Coordinator of Tutoring and teaches at Marist.
