Women's Volleyball
Steve Santonastaso
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- steve.s@scarletknights.com
Steve Santonastaso begins his second season "On The Banks" in 2021 joining the staff as an assistant under second-year head coach Caitlin Schweihofer.
In his first season with Rutgers, he helped the Scarlet Knights to become a team on the rise establishing numerous program firsts and bests. The Scarlet Knights captured their most wins in Big Ten play since joining the nation's top conference in 2014 along with their first-ever All-Big Ten honoree and first-ever Big Ten series sweep along set victories over more than one Top 10 program. Under his guidance RU also rewrote part of the record book with new team, season and match records for aces and reset program Big Ten game bests in kills, attempts, attack percentage and assists and individual conference superlatives in attack percentage, assists and digs.
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.
In his first season with Rutgers, he helped the Scarlet Knights to become a team on the rise establishing numerous program firsts and bests. The Scarlet Knights captured their most wins in Big Ten play since joining the nation's top conference in 2014 along with their first-ever All-Big Ten honoree and first-ever Big Ten series sweep along set victories over more than one Top 10 program. Under his guidance RU also rewrote part of the record book with new team, season and match records for aces and reset program Big Ten game bests in kills, attempts, attack percentage and assists and individual conference superlatives in attack percentage, assists and digs.
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.
Jersey Mic'd with Skylar George
Wednesday, March 25
Rutgers Volleyball Vs Washington Highlights
Friday, November 28
Rutgers Volleyball vs. Oregon Highlights
Thursday, November 27
Rutgers Volleyball vs. Ohio State Highlights
Monday, November 24
