Sparkill, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Athletics Department and Director of Athletics Nicole Ryan have announced the hiring of Robert Pichardo as the Spartans' Women's Volleyball Head Coach.
Pichardo arrives in Sparkill after spending the last 18 seasons as head coach of the Ramapo College Women's Volleyball program in New Jersey, where he led the Roadrunners to 15 NJAC Tournament appearances, including five championship match appearances and five semi-final match appearances, in addition to six ECAC’s tournament bids and one ECAC’s Tournament Title. He also guided Ramapo to the program's first NCAA berth during the 2016 season and holds an impeccable career coaching record that now stands at 408-231 in Women’s Volleyball, along with an overall record in Men’s Volleyball of 100-47, (508-278 Women’s & Men’s combined). At Ramapo he held a record of 308-187 in 17 seasons.
"I’m really excited to welcome Coach Pichardo to the STAC family", said STAC Director of Athletics Nicole Ryan. "Robert brings a wealth of volleyball success from many institutions, where he left tremendous legacies. He has been a leader in the tri-state-area volleyball community for decades, and I am beyond enthused to have him spearhead our women's program."
In late August 2005, Coach Pichardo took over a Ramapo Women’s Volleyball a program that stood at 69-123 overall in its previous seven seasons. His program posted numerous school records with three #2 seeds in conference playoffs, as well as 6 ECAC Tournament invitations. Including the 2015 ECAC Metro/Upstate Women’s Championship Title, to a perfect 8-0 Regular Season Conference Champions, also being named 2016 NJAC Coach of the Year, while holding a #1 seed in conference and earning an At-Large Bid to the 2016 NCAA Regional Championship.
Prior to Ramapo, Pichardo coached at CCNY, where the men’s and women’s volleyball programs compiled a record of 183-110 during a six year stint (1999-2005). He guided the men’s team to the NECVA Championship Tournament in four consecutive years and led the team to an 83-66 overall record. He captured a CUNYAC conference title in his first year (2000), one NECVA title, and one ECAC title in 2002. The team was also ranked as high as 6th in the National AVCA Division III Coaches poll. Furthermore, while at CCNY he also guided the women’s program compiling a record of 100-44 in his six seasons also shaping the Beavers from an .500 program to 2 NCAA’s Automatic berths and CUNY Conference Titles. (’03, ’04).
In 2011, Coach Pichardo was a recipient of the AVCA “300 Victory Club” award after earning 300 or more collegiate career victories. He is also a fellow member of the same association as well as USA Volleyball. He has now compiled nearly 500 NCAA career victories Internationally, he guided a CUNYAC collegiate selection team to Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2005, and coached the 6th Region Dominican Selection Team in 3 different occasions at the Dominican National Games in ’96, ’00, and ’06. Coach Pichardo was a setter/outside hitter for the CCNY program for four years and was a two-year captain. He’s formerly the founder and president of the Dominican Volleyball Association in the U.S.A. but continues to represent the Dominican Volleyball Federation away from the continental USA.
Outside Collegiate Volleyball, Pichardo is the Founder/Executive Director of Pinnacle Volleyball Academy Inc. A well respected and established junior travel Volleyball club. Prior to that, he was the Co-Club Director at nearby DIGS Volleyball Cub.
His collegiate debut started in 1994 as a head coach for Cooper Union College, also at DeWitt Clinton H.S. in ’97, as well as Monroe Community College in ’97 and Yeshiva University Men’s team in ‘98. Coach Pichardo is also a member of the Dominican Volleyball Federation. He holds a FIVB Level 1 International Coaching Accreditation License, High Performance Clinician, USA IMPACT and a USA Volleyball CAP Level II, currently working on his Level III.
A former Athletic Director at A. Philip Randolph Campus H.S. in New York City where he supervised 26 varsities and junior varsity programs that competes under the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) umbrella.
Pichardo is a veteran of the United States Navy, and holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Health & Physical Education degree from CCNY as well as an Urban and Multicultural Education Master’s Degree from the College of Mt. St. Vincent. Robert is a member of AVCA American Volleyball Coaches Association. He resides in West Nyack, NY with his wife Maria, and their daughters Ashley and Tamara.
"I want to thank Director of Athletics Nicole Ryan, Associate Athletic Director Maciej Siekierski, and the entire search committee for selecting me to start and be at the forefront of the Spartan Women’s Volleyball program", said Pichardo. "I am honored to accept this role and to lead the Spartans in this inaugural year. I also want to thank the entire administration at St. Thomas Aquinas College for entrusting me with the women’s program. From the moment I had the first conversation with the STAC Athletic Administrative team, I immediately knew this would be a great place to do great things together."
"I look forward to getting on campus and engrossing myself within the maroon & gold community and working with the athletic department as we build a thriving volleyball program that complements and elevates the entire Spartan’s community."
"Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't thank my Roadrunner family who have meant so much to me over the last 18 years", remarked Pichardo. "Thanks so much to Athletic Director Jan Koslowsky, Bridgette Quimpo, Chuck McBreen, Chris Romano, Kate Levin, Rachel & DJ Pinton, PJ Bartolotto, Luis Pomales, Joe Valentino, Mike Eineker, and Joan Schofield for their support."