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2 2011 Stags Volleyball
Meet the Coaches
T
he 2012 season marks John Sagnelli’s sixth as head coach of the men’s and
women’s cross country programs.The Stags have continued to show improve-
ment under Sagnelli’s tutelage.
The men’s team jumped up five spots at the MAAC Championships in the last
three seasons, finishing 2010 and 2011 in fourth place. He also guided Jake
Ruskan to a 15th place finish at the 2011 MAAC Championships, marking the
Stags first All-MAAC honoree in more a decade. The women’s team has also
steadily improved, jumping by as much as four spots over the last three seasons,
finishing 2010 in fifth place at the event.
Sagnelli joined the Stags in 2007 after 12 successful seasons at the University
of New Haven. Sagnelli was the men’s cross country head coach for 11 seasons
and spent the last four as the women’s head coach. He was also the head coach
of the track and field programs.
During his time at New Haven, Sagnelli helped produce 14 Division II All-
Americans, a national cross country qualifier, numerous All-New England and
NCAA All-Region performers, 11 conference champions, 10 New England champi-
ons, and more than 80 All-Conference selections.
In 2006, New Haven’s men’s cross country team achieved their eighth straight
NCAA Regional ranking, placed eighth at the NCAA Regional, and had three all-con-
ference performers. In each of his last five years, the men captured two confer-
ence championships and finished as the runner-up twice in the team competition.
One the women’s side, Sagnelli guided two NCAA All-Region performers and the
ECC Runner and Rookie of the Year in 2006. The women’s team finished third at
the league championships and posted its second individual conference champion
in the last four seasons. New Haven also placed one student-athlete on the
Division II National All-Academic Team.
Prior to his stint at New Haven, Sagnelli served as the women’s cross country
and track and field coach at Iona College.
John Sagnelli
Head Coach – Sixth Season
Q & A With Coach Sagnelli
What is your coaching philosophy?
I have been a coach for a lot of years and the most important thing I have learned
is patience. Sometimes we get caught up in having immediate success. I believe
that success will come but it needs to be developed first. As long as you are
patient with the student-athletes and work with them to become great runners
and great students, the success will come.
What type of student-athlete do you recruit?
I like to bring in student-athletes that are smart, aggressive young people. I want
student-athletes that are the whole package -- they excel in the classroom and
on the course. But I also want student-athletes that have a great passion for com-
petition and want to win.
What do you ask of your student-athletes?
I ask from all of my student-athletes that they are 100 percent committed to run-
ning cross country at Fairfield. We have specific goals that we want to reach as
a team and if the student-athletes aren’t committed, it’s hard to achieve those
goals. That’s not to say that cross country should be the only part of their college
experience. I want my athletes to be well-rounded and get a full experience. I just
ask that when they are at practice or at a meet, they are focused and giving 100
percent.
What is the best part about Fairfield?
I’d have to say the total atmosphere of the University. Fairfield is a wonderful
place. We have an excellent academic reputation, great programs that engage
our students, a solid athletic program, and a beautiful campus in a great loca-
tion. Being so close to New York City and the beach really attracts a lot of people
with different interests. I think there is something for everyone here.