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University of North Carolina Athletics
Sagula To Be Inducted into NC Volleyball Hall of Fame
October 27, 2019 | Volleyball
CHAPEL HILL – Head coach Joe Sagula has been named a 2020 inductee to the NC Volleyball Hall of Fame established by USA Volleyball Carolina Region and announced publicly by region president Jim Ross Sunday afternoon.
"The Carolina Region of USA Volleyball is honored to select Joe Sagula as a 2020 inductee to the NC Volleyball Hall of Fame," Jim Ross, current President of the Carolina Region, said. "As the first coach inducted, Coach Sagula is extremely deserving of this honor after all he's accomplished in 30 seasons so far. Intentionally, we're very selective about our criteria to be considered for the NC Volleyball Hall of Fame. There wasn't even a question of someone else."
"I'm honored, humbled and surprised by all of this," Sagula said Tuesday after being surprised at the team's practice with the announcement. "I've been in this state for a long time and I've seen a lot of growth in volleyball. I'm glad to be around so many people around the industry and at this university, but it comes down to the great players who've allowed me to coach them here at Carolina. I'm so proud of what we've done and what we've built in this area. All of my staff and coaches share this honor. Thank you."
"I'm very excited for Joe," Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham said. "It was a special moment to be able to surprise him in front of his team too. He has been here a long time and done a tremendous job with all the accomplishments he and this program have earned. What he said to the team was really appropriate. He's attracted great students and outstanding volleyball players to be successful during their time here at Carolina and after graduation. It's really amazing when somebody with such a long career is honored in such a way."
Currently in his 30th season at Carolina and 40th coaching, Sagula is one of the most successful coaches in college volleyball. UNC's winningest volleyball coach in program history, Sagula has guided the Tar Heels to more than 600 wins, seven ACC championships and 14 of its 18 NCAA tournament appearances.
Sagula owns 811 wins throughout his 38 years as a Division I head coach at Penn (1981-89) and Carolina (1990-present), with 11 total regular-season and six conference tournament titles. Sagula has the most ACC wins of any coach in league history with 329, and his seven ACC titles are tied for the most all time among the league's coaches.
Sagula has directed the Tar Heels to 14 top-three finishes in the league's regular-season standings, including first-place finishes in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2014 and 2016. In the 14 seasons in which the ACC held a postseason tournament, Sagula led the Tar Heels to six appearances in the ACC championship match and reached the semifinals 10 times.
Sagula has been a supporter of volleyball at all levels in North Carolina and a leader in coaching and player education. Sagula is the first coach and fourth overall individual elected to the NC Hall of Fame.
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