20 Questions With Volleyball Assistant Coach Steve Santonastaso
Apr 21 | Women's Volleyball
Get To Know The New Members of the Volleyball Staff
Steve Santonastaso begins his first season "On The Banks" in 2020 having joined the staff as an assistant under first-year head coach Caitlin Schweihofer in February.
Santonastaso arrived at Rutgers after serving the last 15 years coaching at his alma mater, the University of Rhode Island. He spent 12 seasons under long-time head coach Bob Schneck, including nine seasons as associate head coach, and served at the helm of the Ram program the last three seasons.
Rutgers' new assistant coached for over a decade in California, including eight years as the head varsity coach at Presentation High School in San Jose. The Panthers collected four-consecutive Central Coast Section championships, as well as the 2002 Northern California championship under his leadership, and in total, Santonastaso mentored 11 players who would earn Division I scholarships.
Santonastaso was also involved with Junior Olympic club volleyball, 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. Nine of his 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 where he played 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.
1.) What is your favorite volleyball memory either as a player or a coach?: It has been a while for my playing days so...as a coach it was the 2002 season for the Presentation high school team I was coaching in California. A great group of coaches and players overcoming many challenges during the season to play for a state championship.
2.) What is your earliest volleyball memory?: Playing in junior high gym class on a tennis net that was way too low.
3.) Why did you want to go into coaching?: To have the ability to mentor motivated people through a sport which had provided me with so many great experiences, lessons,
and most importantly friendships.
4.) One word to describe you on the court: Passionate
5.) One word to describe you off the court: Supportive
6.) What was your major?: Athletic Training
7.) Why did you choose your major?: I wanted to help athletes return to play and be at their best.
8.) What is your favorite inspirational quote?: Nobody said it would easy...they just promised it would be worth it.
9.) What is your dream vacation?: Backpacking through Europe
10.) If you could have dinner with anyone in history who would it be and why?:
11.) What movie do you know every line to?: There are a few...but Star Wars:Episode IV is an all-time favorite
12.) Top song on your workout play list: Always Alright (Alabama Shakes)
13.) Second song on your workout play list: Life on a Chain (Pete Yorn)
14.) Third song on your workout play list: Road Runner (Jonathan Richman)
15.) TV Show/Series I consider the most binge-worthy: Ozark
16.) Book I could read over and over again: Gates of Fire - Steven Pressfield
17.) Phone App I cannot live without: YouTube
18.) Favorite toy as a child was: Atari 2600 game console
19.) What's your favorite holiday?: 4th of July...mostly because we have a family reunion.
20.) What advice would you give to athletes looking to pursue playing volleyball in college?: Playing volleyball in college is an 'All In' lifestyle...you have to fully invest yourself in your growth as a person/player, create strong relationships with teammates & coaches, and commit yourself to creating a positive team environment.
Follow Rutgers women's volleyball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Santonastaso arrived at Rutgers after serving the last 15 years coaching at his alma mater, the University of Rhode Island. He spent 12 seasons under long-time head coach Bob Schneck, including nine seasons as associate head coach, and served at the helm of the Ram program the last three seasons.
Rutgers' new assistant coached for over a decade in California, including eight years as the head varsity coach at Presentation High School in San Jose. The Panthers collected four-consecutive Central Coast Section championships, as well as the 2002 Northern California championship under his leadership, and in total, Santonastaso mentored 11 players who would earn Division I scholarships.
Santonastaso was also involved with Junior Olympic club volleyball, 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. Nine of his 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 where he played 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.
1.) What is your favorite volleyball memory either as a player or a coach?: It has been a while for my playing days so...as a coach it was the 2002 season for the Presentation high school team I was coaching in California. A great group of coaches and players overcoming many challenges during the season to play for a state championship.
2.) What is your earliest volleyball memory?: Playing in junior high gym class on a tennis net that was way too low.
3.) Why did you want to go into coaching?: To have the ability to mentor motivated people through a sport which had provided me with so many great experiences, lessons,
and most importantly friendships.
4.) One word to describe you on the court: Passionate
5.) One word to describe you off the court: Supportive
6.) What was your major?: Athletic Training
7.) Why did you choose your major?: I wanted to help athletes return to play and be at their best.
8.) What is your favorite inspirational quote?: Nobody said it would easy...they just promised it would be worth it.
9.) What is your dream vacation?: Backpacking through Europe
10.) If you could have dinner with anyone in history who would it be and why?:
11.) What movie do you know every line to?: There are a few...but Star Wars:Episode IV is an all-time favorite
12.) Top song on your workout play list: Always Alright (Alabama Shakes)
13.) Second song on your workout play list: Life on a Chain (Pete Yorn)
14.) Third song on your workout play list: Road Runner (Jonathan Richman)
15.) TV Show/Series I consider the most binge-worthy: Ozark
16.) Book I could read over and over again: Gates of Fire - Steven Pressfield
17.) Phone App I cannot live without: YouTube
18.) Favorite toy as a child was: Atari 2600 game console
19.) What's your favorite holiday?: 4th of July...mostly because we have a family reunion.
20.) What advice would you give to athletes looking to pursue playing volleyball in college?: Playing volleyball in college is an 'All In' lifestyle...you have to fully invest yourself in your growth as a person/player, create strong relationships with teammates & coaches, and commit yourself to creating a positive team environment.
Follow Rutgers women's volleyball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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