Kristofer Schnatz was named the Head of the Department of Physical Education and Athletics at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in August 2019.
In his six years at Kings Point, Schnatz has already made a lasting impact on the Athletic Department. Within months of being hired, Schnatz developed the “Excellence in Athletics” mantra for the department – laying out the expectation and an action plan to help advance discussion and education related to the development of exemplary leaders and behavior in competition. He also oversaw the successful development of the Mariner Athletics Diversity & Inclusion Committee. In the Summer of 2022, Schnatz announced the new Mission & Vision of the PE&A Department, with a strong emphasis on #OURAcademy.
Schnatz has already been tasked with hiring seven new head coaches for men’s and women’s cross country/track & field, women’s soccer, men's lacrosse, wrestling, football, women's volleyball and women's basketball, as well as numerous assistant coaches, adding to our already impressive coaching staffs to help produce and maintain championship-caliber programs. The results have paid off, as the Mariners have won a total of 35 conference titles (34 Skyline and one Centennial) over the past five years over all 19 athletic programs, while 27 teams qualifying for the NCAA Championships.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Schnatz did his best to make sure the USMMA student-athletes’ health and well-being were taken care off, providing an “as close to normal” regular, everyday experience for the teams as possible. This resulted in all but two programs being able to compete throughout the year, including four with nearly entire seasons.
There have also been numerous facility additions and upgrades over the past two years including the completion of the O’Hara Hall lighting and sound systems, the opening of the Lower Roosevelt Sports Complex for the baseball and soccer teams, the Tomb Field turf replacement project, the installation of a video scoreboard on Tomb Field and the addition of an LED/video scorer’s table for the gym.
In addition to serving as a board member for the USMMA Athletics Hall of Fame, Schantz has also represented the Academy as the Chair of the Skyline Conference Championships Committee, and will serve as the league’s Men’s Lacrosse Sport Liaison beginning in 2021-22. Additionally, he will serve as an at-large member of the NADIIIAA Awards Committee, also beginning in 2021-22.
Upon his hiring, USMMA Superintendent RADM Jack Buono commented, "Mr. Schnatz brings unique experience to this position. With 20 years of experience in coaching and athletics administration, the maritime industry, and physical education management, along with recent experience in a collegiate regimental environment, Mr. Schnatz brings an ideal skillset to Kings Point. His rare combination of qualifications and his commendable background in both the maritime industry and collegiate athletics make him a superb selection."
Schnatz joined USMMA from fellow Skyline Conference institution, SUNY Maritime College, where he spent the past two-plus years as the Director of Athletics, overseeing the Privateers' 16 varsity programs and more than 400 student-athletes. He was additionally responsible for the intramural and club sports programs at the Bronx campus.
Prior to his time at SUNY Maritime, Schnatz worked at Indiana University (IU) Northwest in Gary, Ind., where he served as Executive Director of Athletics from Oct. 2012 through Nov. 2016. While there, Schnatz managed the expansion of the department from three teams to seven and was a driving force behind many of the improvements to game day operations and the IU Northwest Fitness Center strength and conditioning facilities. He was also responsible for overseeing the academic eligibility and compliance of the department's student-athlete population, which included implementing academic improvement programs leading to a department all-time high, 3.10 grade point average through the spring 2016 semester.
In addition to his administrative duties, Schnatz served as the head basketball coach for the RedHawks and led the team to 23 wins in his two seasons at the helm. As head coach, he helped improve the team's academic performance and retention while developing all other phases of the program.
Schnatz earned his bachelor's degree in marine transportation from SUNY Maritime College in Jan. 1999. He went on to earn a master's degree in sports administration from Valparaiso University in Aug. 2005.
Upon graduating from SUNY Maritime College, Schnatz began working as a marine analyst for the National Imaging & Mapping Agency in Maryland. While there, he wrote for the Notice to Mariners Branch of the Marine Navigation Department, specializing in military and commercial transportation.
As a Mariner, Schnatz used his marine transportation degree as an operations manager and master with the Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa in Michigan City, Ind. In his nearly 11 years at Blue Chip, he managed the marine, maintenance, housekeeping and facility crews aboard the vessel, and annually developed and executed a $6 million departmental operating budget.
Schnatz will reside in Kings Point, N.Y., with his wife, Kristen, and three daughters, Lia, Taylor and Aybriel.
