Patchogue, NY| St. Joseph's College (L.I.) Assistant Vice President & Senior Director of Athletics & Recreation Shantey M. Hill announced on Tuesday Morning the appointment of Bill Kropp as the institution's first-ever men's volleyball head coach.
"The St. Joseph's College men's volleyball program secured its first win by hiring Coach Kropp," said Hill. "He is a trailblazer in the sport of volleyball having led many successful programs on both the men's and women's side. SJC is lucky to have one of Long Island's legendary coaches lead us in our inaugural season and, hopefully, for many years moving forward."
Kropp arrives at St. Joseph's having most recently served as varsity boys' head coach at Sachem High School East since 1989. During his tenure, Kropp led the Flaming Arrows to five Suffolk County Championships ('92, '94, '95, '00, '13) and one Long Island Championship in 2013. He compiled a 366-115 record having earned 12 division titles, six league titles and six Suffolk Coach of the Year honors. His St. Joseph's side will begin play in the Skyline Conference in the spring of 2017.
"I'm excited to be a part of creating and developing a collegiate volleyball experience for young men on Long Island," said Kropp on Tuesday. "I have 35 years of coaching experience and I look forward to using it to establish a men's program at St. Joseph's. I'm proud to be a new member of the staff and am dedicated to helping this institution excel for years to come."
In addition to his duties with Sachem East's boys' program, Kropp worked as a coach at the Long Island Volleyball Club (LIVBC) starting in 2010, where he headed boys teams at the 14-, 17-, and 18-year-old levels. From 1989 to 2000, Kropp headed Sachem East's girls' program, posting a 220-44 record and claiming three Suffolk County titles ('94, '95, '98), seven league championships and four League One Coach of the Year selections.
"Long Island produces some of the best volleyball players in the nation," said Kropp. "It has been many years since players have had the opportunity to stay home, get a great education and play volleyball on Long Island. The time is right to reestablish a program where players can play at the collegiate level in their own backyard."
A former Newsday Long Island Boys Volleyball Coach of the Year, Kropp also worked with Rebels Volleyball Club (2009-10) and Blaze Volleyball Club (2007-09). In 1994-95 and 1997-98, he served as head coach at the Long Island Region's boy's and men's teams, respectively, at the Empire State Games. His boys side claimed the gold medal, and the men the bronze.
The founder and current director of the Sachem Youth Advisory Group (S.Y.A.G.) Volleyball Camp—Long Island's largest volleyball camp—Kropp also served as director of Islandwide Volleyball Camp (1988-91) and the Stony Brook Boys Volleyball Camp (1986-88). Prior to his head coaching duties with LIU-Southampton's women's program in 1988-89, Kropp worked as an assistant for the Stony Brook's women's team in 1986-87.