Purchase College Athletics

Chris Bisignano was hired as Director of Athletics in 2012. In 2024-25, he is entering his 24th year as a member of the Purchase College athletic staff. 

Bisignano's fundraising and revenue-boosting efforts have been instrumental in the department's growth. Those efforts include raising funds to offset the costs of three turf field projects, including a new softball field scheduled to break ground in Fall 2024, among many other important facility upgrades. He is also credited in raising the total number of student-athletes through the addition of new sports, including both men's and women's lacrosse.

Through his commitment to diversity and inclusion, Bisignano has been influential in employing three current full-time staffers at the College through the NCAA Diversity and Inclusion grants. Through his efforts, the department is also proud to have five full-time coaches on staff.

Currently, the number of student-athletes at Purchase College is the highest the program has seen in its history. Not only does Purchase have a record number of student-athletes, they also hold a higher GPA than the national average for members of the NCAA. The graduation rate is also the third highest among any cohort of students at the institution.

Through his dedication and commitment to giving student-athletes the best possible experience at Purchase, Bisignano has led the department to unprecedented heights. He has been a key role in the development of the athletic program at Purchase, including a transition to NCAA Division III status in 2006. The college formerly was a member of the Hudson Valley Athletic Conference and the North Eastern Athletic Conference.

Bisignano began his career at Purchase as the program’s first-ever softball coach, leading the Panthers to consistent playoff berths and a Hudson Valley Athletic Conference championship crown in 2003.

In addition to his coaching success, Bisignano served the department in many roles during his tenure, including Facilities Manager from 2000-06 and Associate Athletic Director from 2007-12. He now oversees the day-to-day operations of the department’s 17 intercollegiate athletic teams, and is also the primary contact for Purchase’s outside rentals and field usage, which provides a huge source of revenue for athletics. 

Before joining the Panther staff, Bisignano coached his high school alma mater, Port Chester, in football, wrestling and softball. He earned his undergraduate degree from Pace University and his M.S. in sports management from SUNY Cortland.

Bisignano, a Port Chester native, currently resides in Patterson, NY with his wife, Jackie, and sons, Zachary and Christopher.