Kropp Retires After Legendary Coaching Career

St. Joseph's University, New York (L.I.) men's volleyball program is saying goodbye to the coach who helped build it from the ground up, but for Long Island volleyball fans, Bill Kropp's retirement marks the end of an extraordinary coaching career that began at Sachem.

Director of Athletics Melody Cope announced that Kropp has retired as head coach of the Golden Eagles men's volleyball program, effective June 8, 2026.

Kropp leaves St. Joseph's as one of the most successful coaches in program history after 10 seasons at the helm. He compiled a 201-74 record, good for a .738 winning percentage, while leading the Golden Eagles to six Skyline Conference regular-season championships, seven Skyline Conference Tournament titles and seven NCAA Tournament appearances.

As the founding head coach of the men's volleyball program, Kropp laid the foundation for sustained success. St. Joseph's captured conference tournament championships in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, earning NCAA Tournament appearances in each of those seasons.

The Golden Eagles enjoyed an especially dominant stretch late in Kropp's tenure, winning six consecutive Skyline Conference regular-season championships from 2021 through 2026 and five straight conference tournament titles from 2022 through 2026.

"Coach Kropp has had a tremendous impact on St. Joseph's University and our men's volleyball program," said Cope. "From the moment he arrived, he established a culture centered on excellence, accountability, and student-athlete development."

Kropp's impact on Long Island volleyball, however, extends well beyond St. Joseph's.

A 1977 Sachem graduate, Kropp is the winningest volleyball coach in New York history. During his time as the boys volleyball coach at Sachem East, he compiled an incredible 366-115 record, winning five Suffolk County championships, 12 division titles and six league championships. He was also named league Coach of the Year six times.

Kropp also coached girls volleyball at Sachem, where he posted a remarkable 220-44 record. His teams won three county championships and seven league titles, while Kropp earned four league Coach of the Year honors.

His accomplishments have earned him induction into both the New York Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Sachem Athletic Hall of Fame.

At St. Joseph's, Kropp continued developing players, with 40 student-athletes earning All-Conference recognition and three receiving All-Region honors. He was named Skyline Conference Coach of the Year seven times.

As Kropp steps away from coaching, he leaves behind an impressive legacy built on championships, player development and a commitment to the sport.

"I am especially grateful for the incredible staff of administrators, coaches, and athletic trainers who have made this journey so rewarding," Kropp said. "As I step away from coaching, I do so with tremendous appreciation and pride in what we have accomplished together."

For Long Island volleyball, replacing a coach with Kropp's résumé will be no easy task. For Sachem and St. Joseph's, however, his legacy will live on for generations.