CCSU Volleyball..Creating A Culture

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Going to a volleyball match at Central Connecticut
State Univeristy gives fans no shortage of excitement.
Football players bring signs and root on their fellow
student-athletes. Players celebrate after each point. But
the most energy comes from the bench, specifically
head coach Linda Sagnelli.
Sagnelli grew up in Mount Vernon, New York as an
active kid who was always playing in the neighborhood.
She played many sports, but ultimately, volleyball won
out because of the style of play.
“I just really like the dynamic, the property, of
volleyball. The explosive jumping, spiking, hitting the
ball hard at the top of your jump. The defense, hitting
the floor. Pursuing the ball. I like fast action. It was just
the sport that rose to the top out of everything.”
Before coming to Central in 2000, Sagnelli coached
at Iona. Her job there, however, was much more than
that. She coached volleyball and softball, and was also
the Director of Intramurals. Later on, she added Senior
Women’s Administrator and Assistant Athletics Director
to her lengthy list of titles. She also shared that she had
to do all of these jobs without a full-time assistant.
“Having all of those responsibilities at a really young age
made me more well-rounded and prepared me. I did my
own budget. I did my own equipment ordering. I had
done all of this stuff. So that helped prepare me for this
job.”
Despite her success at Iona, deciding to come to CCSU
was not that difficult. Sagneli shared that Central is
much closer to her home town and there were a lot
of things she liked about the campus, specifically the
various services Central offers its students.
Sagnelli is wrapping up her 18th season with CCSU. In
her time, she has led the Blue Devils to success. Her 293
wins are the most in school history. The fact that the
team has won at least 10 wins in every year with Sagnelli
at the helm, has created an attitude of constant success.
This year’s team may be one of the best in the Sagnelli
era. They finished the regular season at 18-7, including
an 11-3 NEC record to give them a share of the regular
season conference title. Their .720 winning percentage
in 2017 is second only to the .767 mark the 2007 team
posted.
Creating A Culture
Two Central Connecticut State University volleyball players celebrate after a team win.
Photo courtesy of ccsubluedevils.com.
By Tyler Roaix

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But while a program always strives to win, Sagnelli
admitted that her goal, above all else, was to create a
culture of integrity and pride.
“That, to me, is more important than the day-to-day
stuff. We are at a spot right now where the culture of our
team is right where I wanted to be,” Sagnelli said.
Part of that mentality is off the court as well. What may
be Sagnelli’s biggest highlight is her team’s constant
success in the classroom. Over the summer, the
American Volleyball Coaches Association recognized
the Blue Devils for the 11th consecutive year for
academic success.
“It is something they take a great deal of pride in
because it is the number one reason they are here,”
Sagnelli said of the academic achievements. “We make
sure they understand that when they get out of here,
they are set up for success in their future. It is something
we talk about as soon as they come in. If you do well
academically, it opens a lot of doors for you. That’s my
philosophy and the team takes it, embraces it and just
exceeds all of our expectations.”
After more than 30 years in coaching, Sagnelli shared
how her passion for the sport is as strong as it was in her
early years at Central. She gives to her players above all
else.
“It’s my players that keep that fire going. You’d think you
get burnt out, but it’s the student-athletes that keep me
going,” Sagnelli said. “I honestly think I have the best job
ever. Every day I walk in and it could bring something
different. This job has become an identity. I don’t even
see it as a job anymore, it is a part of who I am.”
Sagnelli’s achievements make her the most successful
volleyball coach in Central’s history in the sports.
Ultimately, she will be remembered as one of the best
coaches the school has ever had, across all sports. But
for Sagnelli, all that matters is her players and what their
time is like at CCSU.
“For me, I just want to be remembered as a coach that
was very passionate about volleyball and worked hard to
make sure the student-athletes had a great playing and
a great overall experience with a high integrity. It really
is about them. What they give me far outweighs what I
could ever give them,” Sagnelli said.
Head coach Linda Sagnelli gives some inspirational words to the CCSU volleyball team as join for a time out
during their match. Photo courtesy of ccsubluedevils.com.