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University of North Carolina Athletics
Sagula Inducted Into Hall Of Fame
September 17, 2012 | Volleyball
NEW PALTZ, N.Y. - The State University of New York at New Paltz Department of Athletics, Wellness & Recreation announced the New Paltz Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2012 on Sunday, which includes North Carolina head volleyball coach Joe Sagula.
In addition to Sagula, SUNY New Paltz also inducted John Bowe '87 (men's basketball), Joanna Masterson '06 (women's swimming) and Bill Odeneal (men's volleyball). The 1984, 1985 and 1986 men's volleyball teams were also inducted into the Hall of Fame. All inductees were honored at a reception Sunday.
"I was so excited to return to New Paltz since I received the surprising call this past spring from athletic director Stuart Robinson about this award," Sagula said. "I feel so fortunate to be selected for this prestigious award and become a part of the great traditions of excellence at SUNY New Paltz Athletics.
"It was a great day that brought back so many wonderful memories of my college experiences and how they shaped my career in coaching. The chance to share this day in memory of my college coach, Dr. William Odeneal, who was also inducted today and was so instrumental in my career, along with the men's volleyball teams from 1984-86 and their recognition, made it a great celebration for the Hawks volleyball program," Sagula said.
Sagula, a 1978 graduate of New Paltz and a Bronx, N.Y., native, finished his 31st season of coaching in 2011, and is one of the most prolific winners in modern women's volleyball, currently serving as the head coach at the University of North Carolina. Sagula is North Carolina's winningest volleyball coach, having gone 445-281 since joining the program in 1990. He has guided UNC to five Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) titles and eight of its 12 NCAA appearances, and he has boasted 11 20-win seasons. North Carolina has won more ACC titles-11-than any other program, and he has the most ACC wins of any coach in the league's history with 224. His five ACC crowns also rank second among any ACC coach.
Sagula's head coaching career began in 1981 when he took over the helm of the University of Pennsylvania women's volleyball program. Over the course of his nine-year stint with the Quakers, he went 203-123, and Penn won Ivy League titles in 1983, 1986 and 1989. In addition to coaching the Quaker women's volleyball team, Sagula also served as Penn's head men's volleyball coach from 1981-89. His passion for the sport of volleyball began at New Paltz, as he competed for the Hawk men's volleyball program as a setter while earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in drawing and painting. While playing at New Paltz, he was a three-year letter winner, and he captained the team his senior season.
"This award is a testimony to all the players who have been part of 32-year coaching career, who have worked so hard to earn success on the court and in the classroom," Sagula said. "I feel privileged to be coaching, and to have a wonderful career which started at UPenn and now my home here at UNC. Being recognized is something special that I will remember and keep with me forever."
