Joe Tartamella Speaker & Booking Information

Joe Tartamella was introduced as the eighth head coach in the history of the St. John's women's basketball program on April 27, 2012. (Photo Gallery) Regarded as one of the top up-and-coming mentors in women's basketball, Tartamella's coaching career has been forged over a nine-year tenure assisting St. John's all-time winningest coach Kim Barnes Arico (2003-12). Beginning as a Red Storm graduate assistant in 2002, Tartamella, 32 at the time of hire, worked his way through the ranks and served as Barnes Arico's associate head coach for the four seasons leading up to his elevation to head coach. He has been an integral part of a staff that has been to four NCAA Tournaments, with an undefeated record in the First Round, including St. John's run to its first-ever NCAA Sweet 16 in 2012. As a program, St. John's has been to the NCAA Tournament seven times, four with Tartamella on staff. In his nine-year career with the Red Storm, Tartamella has played a vital role in helping turn around the St. John's women's basketball program and lead it to its present successes. During Tartamella's tenure, St. John's has advanced to nine BIG EAST Tournaments, two Women's National Invitation Tournament appearances, including a WNIT Quarterfinals in 2007-08, and four NCAA Tournaments, including the program's first NCAA Tournament berth in more than 17 years during the 2005-06 campaign, and St. John's first-ever NCAA Regional Semifinal appearance in 2011-12. Tartamella has coached 19 All-BIG EAST and All-Rookie players, 12 All-Met selections and has enjoyed many a national Top 25 ranking during his time at St. John's, including a program-best No. 13 Associated Press ranking during the 2011-12 campaign. Tartamella's scouting and game-planning tactics have proved to be invaluable as St. John's has enjoyed numerous victories over Top 25 opponents, including the team's three historic upset-victories over Notre Dame when the Irish were ranked No. 13 in 2005-06, No. 9 in 2007-08 and No. 4/3 in 2009-10. In 2011-12, he boasted the winning scout in St. John's win over then-No. 2 Connecticut on Feb. 18, ending the Huskies' 99-game home-winning streak. With Tartamella as part of Barnes Arico's staff, the Red Storm has claimed a .560 winning percentage. Tartamella is also known for his recruiting prowess and has consistently brought in top-rated talent for the Red Storm. Highlighting his role as recruiting coordinator was the 2009-10 class that ESPN.com ranked as 10th best in the nation and No. 1 in the BIG EAST. The class, seniors for the 2012-13 season, included All-BIG EAST Freshmen Shenneika Smith and Nadirah McKenith, who have blossomed into national headliners with both earning 2012 Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-Region and 2012 All-BIG EAST honors, among their many collegiate accolades. For the upcoming 2012-13 season, Tartamella was also instrumental in the recruitment of Sandra Udobi-Ufogu, who is ranked as high as No. 30 nationally in her class.