J.J. O'Connell of Stevens Named Empire 8 Volleyball Coach of the Year
November 7, 2007
ROCHESTER, NY – Stevens Institute of Technology Head Coach J.J. O’Connell has been named the 2007 Empire 8 Coach of the Year in a vote of the conference coaches after the Ducks captured the conference championship on Saturday.
O’Connell has led Stevens to an undefeated record in Empire 8 play and a 33-4 overall record. Stevens will host an eight-team regional in the NCAA Division III Volleyball Championship starting tomorrow. The Ducks, who advanced to the Elite Eight last season, have won four consecutive conference titles under O’Connell, winning three straight Skyline Conference championships before entering the Empire 8 this season.
O’Connell took over a program that won just three matches in 2001 and has accumulated a 161-47 record in his sixth season, a .774 winning percentage. He is the winningest coach in the program’s history.