vballhall – Page 7 – Connecticut Women's Volleyball Hall of Fame

Syd’s interest and support of volleyball goes back 25 years to when she worked with Debbie Chin at Hillhouse High School. It was during that tiem that she began working as a volleyball official both at the high schoola nd collegiate levels. She continued in that role as well as serving as the coordinator of volleyball officials for greater New Haven.

Syd was responsible for scheduling officials for some 35 area schools and was instrumental in training new officials. Syd also scheduled officials for the CIAC state volleyball tournament. She tirelessly contributed countless hours to interscholastic volleyball in Connecticut.

Syd is presently an Assistant Principal at Cross Annex High School in New Haven.

Steve’s volleyball career began as an outstanding player and continued as an out-standing coach. He first played volleyball at UMASS Amherst with Pat Ryan who was already a member of the team. He was named a New England All Star both years he played at the College club level and he played with various USVBA and local adult teams throughout the years.

His first coaching job was at Amherst High School in 1984 as the first Boys’ Volleyball coach. The team’s record was 11-1. His next coaching opportunity was at Glastonbury High School where he started as the girls’ assistant coach in 1990. Steve coached there until 2002, his last 6 years as the Varsity Coach.

His overall record at Glastonbury was 215-77 in those 13 years, and his varsity record was 107 and 26. Glastonbury was the CCC West Champion for 11 of those 13 years, including the last 10 in a row and won the CIAC Class L State Championship in 1993.

Steve coached numerous All-State players including Allison Baker and Missy Roy, an inductee of the Connecticut Scholastic Women’s Volleyball Hall of Fame.

After taking many years off to spend more time with his children’s activities, he re-turned to coaching at East Catholic High School as the assistant girls’ volleyball coach from 2009 through 2012. This allowed him to be a part of the team while his daughter Emma played. He also coached numerous girls Junior Olympic teams for the Husky Volleyball Club, operated in central CT by Pat Ryan.

Steve credits the many people who have helped influence him as a coach but none more than his presenter Pat Ryan. Of Pat Steve said, “Pat has been there since my first day playing at UMASS and continued to be an influence on my coaching, and coaching philosophy throughout my career”.

Steve is a Mortgage Loan Originator and lives in Stafford Springs with his wife Kathy and 2 children Joey and Emma.