The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference

NEW LONDON, CONN.-- Patty Giannattasio, who led the Coast Guard Academy volleyball team to the NCAA Division III Elite 8 for the first time in school history this past season, will resign her position as head coach at the end of the semester after 10 years.

"I'm very proud of the way the volleyball program has evolved over my ten years," said Giannattasio. "After our match at the Elite 8 was over and everyone left the arena, I took a few minutes to reflect on the past season and what the team had accomplished. I looked up at the banner that read, "Coast Guard Academy NCAA Elite Eight" and was both humbled and proud and at that moment I was grateful for the fact that for the past ten years I've been involved in something much more than coaching a volleyball team."

Giannattasio posted a 211-99 record in her 10 seasons for a solid .681 winning percentage. Under her guidance, Coast Guard made five consecutive trips to the ECAC Tournament (2001-2005). She led the Bears to the ECAC New England Championship in 2005 and the ECAC North Championship in 2002.

"Although coaches are measured by their successes, I have to say that getting to know the athletes has been the most rewarding part of my job," said Giannattasio. "A program is only as good as its players and I've had many fine athletes to work with at Coast Guard. I'm pleased to know that I'm leaving the program with a solid core of players and some talented recruits who will carry on the tradition of success simply because it is that important to them."

Coast Guard also won a pair of New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) regular season championships in 2004 and 2006 and won its first ever NEWMAC tournament championship this past season earning the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Giannattasio was named the NEWMAC Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2006.

"There are many fine people who have been supportive of my efforts at CGA and I'm extremely grateful for them," said Giannattasio. "I am now looking forward to working in an area where all that I've learned at CGA can be put to good use. I will continue to promote the sport of volleyball and develop players and coaches in their knowledge of the game in a variety of ways."

The Bears, who were 26-3 this season and lost to eventual national champion Juniata in the national quarterfinals in Salem, Va., return all but two players including All-America Nicole Gurr and honorable mention All-America Corinne McCormack.

"On behalf of the Academy and our Athletics Division, I would like to state that we are indebted to Patty for her outstanding contributions during the past ten years. In addition to being an outstanding technical coach, Patty's work went far beyond the volleyball court," said Coast Guard Academy Director of Athletics, Dr. Ray Cieplik. "Patty has served us for a full decade as an excellent role model, advisor and mentor to all of the cadets that she has come in contact with. The graduates who have played for her are surely better officers and leaders because of her guidance. The amazing thing is that she accomplished all of her achievements here as a part-time coach."

A search for her replacement has already begun.

Coast Guard Volleyball Coach Giannattasio To Resign Position With Bears