Each Monday of the fall semester, we’ll be bringing you three different “Getting to Know Them” profiles on coaches, athletic administrators and athletic trainers at Slippery Rock to introduce you to the folks behind the scenes here at The Rock. Next up, we check in with men’s basketball assistant coach Jon Valeriano. 

QUICK BIO
Two-time Slippery Rock alumnus and former Rock point guard Jon Valeriano is in his third season coaching at SRU. Valeriano earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2013 and completed his master’s degree in parks and resource management in 2015. As a player, Valeriano started 50 games at Slippery Rock, averaging 7.1 points, 3.1 assists and 1.8 rebounds per game while shooting 43.3 percent from 3-point range, the top number in program history. SRU was 38-21 and made an NCAA Tournament appearance during his two seasons on the team. Prior to coming back to SRU, Valeriano served as an assistant coach at the Community College of Beaver County, where he helped the Titans to an overall record of 50-8. He also served as an assistant coach at Allegheny College and the Scotland Performance Institute.  

IN HIS WORDS

Q: What was the last book you read?
A: I read Peak Performance by Dr. Marc Bubbs.

Q: What’s your all-time favorite movie? 
A: My favorite all-time movie is Casino.

Q: What’s your favorite restaurant? What do you order there?
A: My favorite place to eat is a restaurant named Giorgio’s. I like to order the gnocchi with meat sauce.

Q: Favorite current TV show? Favorite TV show of all-time?
A: If I had to pick a couple, I would say Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld.

Q: Tell us about your family.
A: I have a five-year old son named Noah that I love spending time with. 

Q: When you go grocery shopping, are you the “Make a List” person or the “Just Wing It” person?
A: I definitely make a list.

Q: Do you listen to podcasts? If so, what are your favorites?
A: Yes, I do listen to podcasts. My favorite right now is the Joe Rogan Experience. 

Q: Who is your hero? 
A: My dad is my here. 

Q: Cats or dogs?
A: Dogs.

Q: Sheetz or WaWa? Why?
A: WaWa, just because of the mango green tea.

Q: What’s the last TV show you binged watched?
A: Billions.

Q: Is there a professor you had a class with in college that you still remember? Who and why?
A: Dr. Pierce. She was the first faculty member I met on campus and was the last instructor I had for Synth, so I bookended my academic program with her. 

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