Academy Coaches Earn Hall of Fame Honors
Academy Volleyball is pleased to announce that, in September, Coach/Director Matthew DiStefano and Coach Bill Kropp were inducted as part of the Sachem High School Athletics 2017 Hall of Fame class.
As one of the largest school districts in New York State, Sachem High School has seen its fair share of notable athletes and coaches. Being selected for the Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor and an amazing accomplishment, one that DiStefano and Kropp have more than earned.
"DEZY"
As an athlete, DiStefano earned his Hall of Fame selection for Volleyball and Basketball. He is regarded as, “one of the best two-sport athletes” in Sachem High School history. He is the only volleyball player to win Suffolk County Volleyball MVP two years in a row (‘94/’95), while also captaining his teams to two Suffolk County Championships and a 36-0 overall record.
In basketball he was the top defender on the only Sachem High School basketball team (in school district history) to win a Suffolk County Championship. It’s also worth noting that DiStefano was also a two sport athlete at his college (Mount Saint Vincent), having been inducted to the NECVA Volleyball Hall of Fame as well as having his volleyball number retired by the school.
DiStefano has been a coach of the Sachem North volleyball team for the past 17 years, winning a New York State Championship in 2014.
COACH KROPP
The Sachem High School coaching career of Bill Kropp is packed with Hall of Fame caliber numbers. Not only was he the Head Coach of the Girls Varsity Volleyball program, but he was also the founder of the Boys Volleyball program at Sachem High School (including Sachem East High School).
Coach Kropp is the owner of some mind-boggling coaching numbers. At the girls varsity level, he stands at 222 wins and 44 losses. At the boys varsity level, he boasts an astounding record of 366 wins and 115 losses. That is a combined record of 588 wins and 159 losses, which makes Coach Kropp New York State’s all-time winningest volleyball coach.
Former players Matthew DiStefano (left) and Matthew Rivera (right) present Coach Bill Kropp (center) with a plaque commemorating his induction to the New York State Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
The list of championships won by teams coached by Kropp is long and distinguished. Coach Kropp is a true coaching legend. To truly appreciate his accomplishments, we recommend you read our post from April 2017 when he was presented with the Suffolk County Volleyball Lifetime Achievement award.
Additionally, Coach Kropp was also recently inducted as part of the 2017 class to the New York State Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
GIVING BACK
Matthew DiStefano and Bill Kropp have devoted a lifetime to the sport of volleyball. Academy Volleyball club is fortunate and honored to have such talented and accomplished coaches teaching the game to the boys in our program. Athletes who come through the Academy program benefit from the years of playing and coaching experience brought by both of these gentelemen.
Congratulations to Coach DiStefano and Coach Kropp on your induction to the Sachem Athletics Hall of Fame.
To read more about the Sachem Hall of Fame Class of 2017, click here.
To read more about the New York State Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2017, click here.