Sagnelli Inks Extension with CCSU

Head coach Linda Sagnelli has agreed to a three-year contract extension that will keep her at the helm of the Central Connecticut volleyball program through the 2015 season.  Director of Athletics Paul Schlickmann announced the extension on Monday, June 24.

"I am excited about the future of our Volleyball program and pleased to announce this extension for Coach Sagnelli," Schlickmann said Monday.  "She is an exemplary mentor to the young women in our program and that is evidenced by their recent success on the court, their consistent high level academic performance and their commitment to our core values.  Under Coach Sagnelli's leadership, our program has achieved notable and consistent competitive success and I know she shares our expectation to ultimately win a Northeast Conference Championship and to be a perennial contender for that title moving forward.  I am confident that Linda and her student-athletes will continue to strive for excellence in all aspects of the program."

The 2013 season will be Sagnelli's 14th at CCSU.  Last season, her team reached the Northeast Conference Tournament for the 10th consecutive year.

"Central Connecticut is a special place to be.  There is great support from the athletic administration and a strong belief in a set of core values - hard work, pride, passion, family, competitiveness, commitment, and determination - that resonates throughout our department," Sagnelli said on Monday morning.  "I feel very fortunate to be the coach of a team that is comprised of student-athletes who continually strive for excellence and I would like to thank the Athletic Director, Paul Schlickmann, for the opportunity to continue as their head coach. I am so proud of our Alumni as they begin their careers and I look forward to the future as we continue our work to establish ourselves as a top team in the Northeast Conference."

Sagnelli has posted a record of 218-166 over her 13 years at CCSU, including 12 NEC Tournament appearances and a share of the NEC Regular Season Title in 2001.

Her teams have won 17 or more games in nine of her 13 seasons at the helm of the CCSU program, including four 20-win campaigns.  She has earned three NEC Coach of the Year awards (2001, 2003, 2007) and her student-athletes have collected eight major postseason awards and numerous All-NEC selections.

In addition to strong play on the court, the volleyball team has also been exceptional in the classroom during Sagnelli's tenure.  The Blue Devils finished the 2012-13 academic year with the highest GPA among CCSU's 18 sports, an achievement they have reached many times under Sagnelli.

A well respected member of the CCSU campus, Sagnelli was one of six women honored at the 21st Annual June Baker Higgins Conference and inaugural Women of Influence Gala in 2012.  The gala honored women who have significantly impacted CCSU or the wider community, made a significant contribution in the lives of women, diligently promoted women's rights, or have worked tirelessly to educate women.

Prior to CCSU, Sagnelli coached at Iona College where she became the only coach in the history of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference to be named Coach of the Year in two different sports, winning the honor in volleyball and softball.  Sagnelli won 126 matches at Iona, giving her a career total of 344 victories.