Volleyball Adds Santonastaso and Belden As Assistants
Feb 11 | Women's Volleyball
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - Steve Santonastaso and Robbie Belden have joined the Rutgers women's volleyball coaching staff as assistants under new head coach Caitlin Schweihofer, it was announced on Tuesday.
Santonastaso spent the last 15 years coaching at his alma mater, the University of Rhode Island, including the last three seasons at the helm of the Ram program. He was elevated to head coach after spending 12 seasons with the program under long-time head coach Bob Schneck, including nine seasons as associate head coach.
Prior to joining the Rhode Island staff, Santonastaso spent over a decade in California, including eight years as the head varsity coach at Presentation High School in San Jose. During his tenure, he guided his teams to four-consecutive Central Coast Section championships, as well as the 2002 Northern California championship. In total, Santonastaso mentored 11 players who would earn Division I scholarships.
In addition to his involvement at the high school level out west, Santonastaso was also involved with Junior Olympic club volleyball, serving as the City Beach Volleyball Club head coach, as well as the club's associate director. He led the club to a gold medal at the USA Volleyball Junior Olympics in 2002, a silver in 2004 and a bronze in 2001. Under his guidance, nine players achieved junior national All-American status and 14 players signed at the Division I level, including seven who developed into All-Americans.
Hailing from Cranston, Rhode Island, Santonasaso was a member of Cranston East High School's inaugural boy's volleyball team before enrolling at Rhode Island playing setter and right side on the Rams' men's club volleyball squad. During his career, the Rams were the runner-ups at the 1993 National Club Volleyball Championship and collected back-to-back New England Collegiate Volleyball League Championships in 1990 and 1991. The NECVL MVP in 1991, he also led Rhode Island to the 1992 and 1993 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association titles.
Santonastaso graduated from Rhode Island in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in physical education with a concentration in athletic training and earned a Master's in athletic training at San Jose State University.
"When Steve confirmed that he wanted to join my staff, I was absolutely thrilled," said Schweihofer. "Within the volleyball community he is recognized as a very hard worker and a diligent recruiter. After several years as an assistant and former head coach, Steve brings a ton of expertise and experience with him to Rutgers. Additionally, his ability to connect with others is strong and will play a valuable role in immediately creating relationships with our current players, as well as prospective student-athletes. Steve will play an integral role in rebuilding the Rutgers volleyball program the right way."
Belden, meanwhile, joins the Scarlet Knights after spending the 2019 season assisting Schweihofer at Northeastern.
Prior to arriving on the Huskies staff, Belden spent two seasons at Campbell University as an assistant coach helping to develop the Camels' offensive attack while also handling recruiting, team travel and scouting. In 2017, he helped guide Campbell to its first 20-win since 1998 with a 20-12 overall record along with the program's first postseason berth to the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.
Belden also gained experience as a volunteer assistant coach at UConn for two seasons, training the setters along with offensive game planning, team travel and scouting, and was an assistant coach at the University of Hartford helping the Hawks to their first winning record in over 20 seasons.
During his stints at both UConn and Hartford, Belden served as the head coach for the Husky Volleyball Club with four of his squads in the U15-17 group qualifying for junior nationals.
Scholastically, Belden played volleyball at Glastonbury High School where he was a setter and earned all-state honors during his senior year. He also played four seasons of club volleyball at UConn and served as the club's president for three years.
A 2011 graduate of UConn with a degree in political science, Belden obtained his Master's in athletic administration from Springfield College in 2015.
"I was so happy that Robbie and his wife Sarah were willing to relocate from the Boston area to New Brunswick," said Schweihofer. "Robbie was an extremely valuable part of my staff last season at Northeastern, and I am glad we are able to continue growing our working relationship at Rutgers. Robbie is a very efficient, yet meticulous person and coach. He has strong technical and tactical skills, and his former coaching experiences have prepared him for the many responsibilities he will take on as an assistant coach in the Big Ten."
Follow Rutgers women's volleyball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Santonastaso spent the last 15 years coaching at his alma mater, the University of Rhode Island, including the last three seasons at the helm of the Ram program. He was elevated to head coach after spending 12 seasons with the program under long-time head coach Bob Schneck, including nine seasons as associate head coach.
Prior to joining the Rhode Island staff, Santonastaso spent over a decade in California, including eight years as the head varsity coach at Presentation High School in San Jose. During his tenure, he guided his teams to four-consecutive Central Coast Section championships, as well as the 2002 Northern California championship. In total, Santonastaso mentored 11 players who would earn Division I scholarships.
In addition to his involvement at the high school level out west, Santonastaso was also involved with Junior Olympic club volleyball, serving as the City Beach Volleyball Club head coach, as well as the club's associate director. He led the club to a gold medal at the USA Volleyball Junior Olympics in 2002, a silver in 2004 and a bronze in 2001. Under his guidance, nine players achieved junior national All-American status and 14 players signed at the Division I level, including seven who developed into All-Americans.
Hailing from Cranston, Rhode Island, Santonasaso was a member of Cranston East High School's inaugural boy's volleyball team before enrolling at Rhode Island playing setter and right side on the Rams' men's club volleyball squad. During his career, the Rams were the runner-ups at the 1993 National Club Volleyball Championship and collected back-to-back New England Collegiate Volleyball League Championships in 1990 and 1991. The NECVL MVP in 1991, he also led Rhode Island to the 1992 and 1993 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association titles.
Santonastaso graduated from Rhode Island in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in physical education with a concentration in athletic training and earned a Master's in athletic training at San Jose State University.
"When Steve confirmed that he wanted to join my staff, I was absolutely thrilled," said Schweihofer. "Within the volleyball community he is recognized as a very hard worker and a diligent recruiter. After several years as an assistant and former head coach, Steve brings a ton of expertise and experience with him to Rutgers. Additionally, his ability to connect with others is strong and will play a valuable role in immediately creating relationships with our current players, as well as prospective student-athletes. Steve will play an integral role in rebuilding the Rutgers volleyball program the right way."
Belden, meanwhile, joins the Scarlet Knights after spending the 2019 season assisting Schweihofer at Northeastern.
Prior to arriving on the Huskies staff, Belden spent two seasons at Campbell University as an assistant coach helping to develop the Camels' offensive attack while also handling recruiting, team travel and scouting. In 2017, he helped guide Campbell to its first 20-win since 1998 with a 20-12 overall record along with the program's first postseason berth to the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.
Belden also gained experience as a volunteer assistant coach at UConn for two seasons, training the setters along with offensive game planning, team travel and scouting, and was an assistant coach at the University of Hartford helping the Hawks to their first winning record in over 20 seasons.
During his stints at both UConn and Hartford, Belden served as the head coach for the Husky Volleyball Club with four of his squads in the U15-17 group qualifying for junior nationals.
Scholastically, Belden played volleyball at Glastonbury High School where he was a setter and earned all-state honors during his senior year. He also played four seasons of club volleyball at UConn and served as the club's president for three years.
A 2011 graduate of UConn with a degree in political science, Belden obtained his Master's in athletic administration from Springfield College in 2015.
"I was so happy that Robbie and his wife Sarah were willing to relocate from the Boston area to New Brunswick," said Schweihofer. "Robbie was an extremely valuable part of my staff last season at Northeastern, and I am glad we are able to continue growing our working relationship at Rutgers. Robbie is a very efficient, yet meticulous person and coach. He has strong technical and tactical skills, and his former coaching experiences have prepared him for the many responsibilities he will take on as an assistant coach in the Big Ten."
Follow Rutgers women's volleyball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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