Sparkill, N.Y. - After an extensive search, St. Thomas Aquinas College Director of Athletics Nicole Ryan announced on April 1 that Edison Sanchez Aviles will be the next head coach of the men's soccer program. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Edison to the St. Thomas Aquinas community and our Spartan family", stated Ryan. He brings valuable experience both as a player and coach and we are confident that our soccer student-athletes will continue to thrive with his leadership."

Sanchez Aviles is highly regarded within the soccer community, having trained many talented soccer athletes over the last four years with the World Class Football Club, which is just down the road from the college in nearby Orangeburg, N.Y.

The Pearl River, New York native's college coaching experience includes a stop at Division I Seton Hall University (2021-2024), where he helped support the recruitment of elite international and domestic student-athletes while also assisting with the scouting of opponents, game day preparations and on-field coaching as an assistant. Sanches Aviles was part of the Pirates 2022 and 2023 Big East Conference Tournament appearances and their 2022 NCAA Tournament run. He also directed several of the university's soccer ID clinics and summer camps.

Prior to his term in South Orange, Sanchez Aviles spent two years (2018-2020) in New York City at Division I Manhattan College, where he served as an assistant coach and helped improve not only the Jaspers' win totals, but also their academic success. Edison was also a part of the program's 2019 MAAC Tournament Conference appearance.

Sanchez Aviles' collegiate coaching resume began in 2014 with Monroe College of New Rochelle. In his five seasons with the Mustangs, he served as both the Head Coach of the women's team and the first assistant coach for the men's program. During that time, Edison led the Monroe women to a top-20 national ranking and the regional final in 2018 and helped the Mustangs men to four NJCAA National Tournament appearances (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) and a pair of NJCAA National Finals in 2014 and 2016.

Edison's collegiate playing career includes Monroe College, where he received his Associate's Degree in Business Administration and Belhaven University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree, also in Business Administration. 

"First and foremost, I want to thank Athletic Director Nicole Ryan and Associate Athletic Director Margaret Alaimo for giving me the opportunity to lead the men's soccer program and be part of the Spartan family", said Sanchez Aviles. "I am thrilled about this opportunity and I look forward to getting started. In the last few years, this program has found great accomplishments in the ECC and I feel honored to be the one to continue to shape the foundation and lead the program to great success in the future".