WEST HARTFORD, CT ? The University of Hartford men's lacrosse program has added Jonathan Basti to its staff as an assistant coach, as announced on Thursday by head coach Peter Lawrence.

Basti comes to Hartford to take the role as the top assistant to the Hawks lacrosse program. He spent last season as the top assistant at Lafayette College and the previous three years as an assistant at Fairfield University.

“Jon brings a great deal of passion, experience, strong recruiting ties, and a desire to restore the tradition at Hartford,” said Lawrence. “I very much look forward to working with Jon and anticipate him making a huge impact on our student-athletes.”

Basti served as defensive coordinator and face-off coach in his one year at Lafayette. He was also heavily involved in both recruiting and scouting. Lafayette finished with an overall record of 4-9 in 2008.

A former player for the Stags, Basti returned to Fairfield as an assistant coach for the 2005 season. Involved in day-to-day operations of the program, he worked as assistant offensive coordinator and oversaw the face-off men. In 2005, Fairfield ranked as high as 15th in the national ranking on its way to a Great Western Lacrosse League championship. In 2007, the Stags reached a program-best #12 ranking.

Prior to Fairfield, Basti served as the head coach at Eastern Connecticut State University from 2002 to 2004. While directing the Warriors, he posted a 22-9 career record while winning a pair of Little East Conference championships and earning two NCAA Tournament berths. He also worked as an assistant coach at Sacred Heart University from 2000 to 2002, leading the face-off and defensive units.

As a student-athlete at Fairfield, Basti helped the Stags to a MAAC regular season championship and two ECAC Tournament titles. He was also a member of the 1996 and 1997 MAAC championship teams. Basti graduated from Fairfield in 1999 with degrees in politics and history and returned to complete his Master's Degree in education/social studies in 2002.