Seton Hill coach Hall nets volleyball milestone

Tri-State Sports & News Service

On the Seton Hill University website, numbers are used to highlight some of the school’s assets. For instance: 35 — Miles from Pittsburgh.

11 — Graduate programs. 200 — Acre campus. The 2,500-student Catholic university in Greensburg might consider adding another to the list.

700 — Victories by venerable women’s volleyball coach Rick Hall in 33 seasons.

A Latrobe High grad, Hall reached the milestone Nov. 8 after a home victory against California University of Pennsylvania. His Division II Griffins finished the regular season as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Southwest Division runner-up with a 22-6, 14-4 record. They lost in the first round of the PSAC playoffs Tuesday to West Chester, 3-1.

“Been a fun season,” Hall said.

His 700th win set off a lively celebration at the McKenna Center. There, Griffins players unveiled a video featuring former players holding up “700” signs. Caught off guard, Hall became emotional.

“I don’t usually get this way, but I shed a tear,” he said.

Senior captain Maggie Murray said the surreptitious ceremony was rewarding for all involved.

“He had no idea we were planning it; he forgot he had 699 wins,” said Murray, who, with the help of her teammates and the athletic department, handed out “700” signs to spectators.

“We all love playing for him. We love his intensity and passion because it gets us excited about our games. He really gets into it.”

For 33 years, Hall has done it his way, from sporting flip flops and cargo shorts on the sideline (a nod to his days as a professional beach volleyball player) to breaking the occasional clipboard to surrounding himself with a tight-knit staff that features his brother Bob and former player Ivelisse Aponte Cavallo.

The formula has worked for this Seton Hill Hall of Famer. He has won nearly 70 percent of his games and has twice been named Northeast Regional Coach of the Year. The Griffins, ranked fourth in the Atlantic Region, have also reached the NCAA tournament twice in the past four seasons and have played in four national tournaments.

“Rick sets high expectations for us,” Murray said. “We have a lot of fun with him — we tease him for wearing his flip-flops everywhere — but he brings out the best in us, too.”

Off the court, Hall has been witness to major changes at the school. That would include campus expansion, the transition from a women’s college to co-ed in 2002 and a move in athletics from the NAIA to the NCAA in 2006.

“I’ve seen a transformation here in my 33 years,” said Hall, a retired elementary/junior high teacher who was elevated from part-time to full-time status when Seton Hill moved into the NCAA.

In the early days, Hall would pack the team into a van and drive it to away games. Overnight stays were a rarity and meals consisted of burgers and fries. Today, the Griffins travel on chartered buses and frequently stay in hotels. The menu has expanded beyond fast-food fare.

“When you coach as long as I have, there are ups and downs, great memories and not-as-great memories,” said Hall, who started as a single, 20something coach and is now a husband (to Valerie), a father of three adult children and a grandfather. “But in the end, it’s about the people you spend the time with, the players, the assistants, the administrators. It was humbling when I was honored for the 700 wins, but it really had nothing to do with 700. The wins aren’t nearly as important as the kids I get to coach everyday.”

A volleyball lifer, Hall may add another number to the school’s website.

800 — Future victories for the veteran coach.

“My demise may be on the volleyball court,” Hall said, laughing.

“I enjoy coaching, it keeps you young. It represents a tremendous amount of challenges. You have to be a problemsolver nowadays, not just a coach. You’re in charge of 19 young ladies with diff e r e n t personalities. You’re there to see that they’re healthy and that they’re doing well in school and that they’re good with time management.

“I’ve been lucky because my players have been tremendous students. They’re willing to make the commitment to school and to the team. It’s been an unbelievable run for me. And it’s because of these great people who have become a part of my life.”