After more than three decades coaching, Bill Kropp is taking on a new challenge in volleyball and it’s to become the lead the new men’s program at local St. Joseph’s College.
The program is set to make its debut in the Skyline Conference in the spring of 2017. Kropp just finished up his final season of coaching at Sachem East this past fall and retired from teaching at Sachem in June.
“I’m excited to be a part of creating and developing a collegiate volleyball experience for young men on Long Island,” said Kropp in a statement. “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.”
Kropp, who also graduated from Sachem in 1977, is the winningest volleyball coach in New York history. His record of 366-115, five Suffolk County titles, 12 division titles, six league titles and six coach of the year honors will be difficult to top. He was also the girls volleyball coach at Sachem and posted a record of 220-44, winning three county titles, seven league crowns and four league coach of the year honors.
“The St. Joseph’s College men’s volleyball program secured its first win by hiring coach Kropp,” said St. Joseph’s Assistant Vice President & Senior Director of Athletics & Recreation Shantey M. Hill, in a statement. “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.”