WAYNE, N.J. – Ranked 15th all time in Division III women's volleyball victories following 41 seasons at her alma mater, William Paterson head coach Sandy Ferrarella '75 has announced her retirement effective May 1, 2020.
 
Ferrarella posted a 709-441 record at WP from 1979-2019, starting this past season ranked eighth among active Division III coaches in wins. She led the Pioneers to three New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament titles (1982, 1983, 1991), and was named the 1991 NJAC Coach of the Year. Ferrarella also will be retiring from WP Undergraduate Admissions, where she has served as an assistant director for 22 years.
 
"What an honor and privilege it has been to be the volleyball coach at William Paterson University, which has become my second home," said Ferrarella. "I could not have imagined when I became the head coach in 1979, that 41 years later I would be saying good-bye to a program I have loved and cherished, as well as my role in Admissions the last 22 years, and doing all of this at my alma mater. So many memories, so many great players who accomplished so much on the court and in the classroom, and so many excellent assistant coaches who together contributed to the success we have had over the years. It was a privilege to have been part of a program that achieved this success through hard work, dedication and the love of the game.
 
"I would like to thank President Helldobler and Vice President Cammarata for their support of our program, their dedication to the Athletics Department and recognizing all of our teams' accomplishments on and off the court," she continued. "I have been very fortunate to have an excellent Athletic Director in Sabrina Grant and want to thank her for all of her support, understanding, dedication and commitment to my program and players. Her encouragement and wisdom made a huge impact on my life. We could not have achieved the success we did without her in my corner. I would also like to thank everyone who has been there throughout my time at WP, including Associate Athletic Director Kristen Foley, the Athletics Department staff, and all of the offices on campus that work directly with our department. None of this would have been possible without them. No one does any of this alone. I would not be who I am today without all of the people I have met along the way. You all mean the world to me and I will never forget you or my time at William Paterson."

She registered her 700th career victory this fall when the Pioneers triumphed at John Jay, 3-0 (Sept. 7), becoming the 16th coach in Division III history to reach that milestone. In fact, her program has been a model of consistent success, as William Paterson has compiled a winning record during 35 of her 41 seasons at the helm. Ferrarella recorded her 500th win during the 2008 campaign (Sept. 6, 3-2 vs. St. Joseph's-Long Island), and her 600th win in 2013 (Sept. 21, 3-0 vs. Old Westbury).
 
Ferrarella's student-athletes have also excelled academically, earning 47 selections to the Academic All-NJAC Team during the last 16 years.
 
"Sandy has established a legacy of success and dedication to William Paterson University; and a lifelong commitment to the student-athletes she coached to ensure their success academically, athletically and socially," Grant said. "It is remarkable to have a coach who spent their entire career coaching at one institution. Thank you, Coach Ferrarella, for your years of service, and for the positive impact you have had on the student-athletes you have coached."
 
A supporter of the North Jersey scholastic scene as well, Ferrarella has coordinated the hosting of numerous high school local, Group, state and Tournament of Champions events on the William Paterson campus. She started the William Paterson High School Tournament in 1979, one of the longest-running events in the state. In 2003, it was renamed the Mary Ann Collura (MAC) Tournament in honor of her close friend, a Fair Lawn police officer who was killed in the line of duty. During the last 17 years, the MAC Tournament has raised $10,000 for The Make-A-Wish Foundation and $5,000 for the Holley Child Care and Development Center in Hackensack. Ferrarella was honored by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) with its 2006 Sports Award and was a 2009 Legends Club inductee for her contributions to high school volleyball.

Ferrarella played for the Pioneers from 1971-74, then served as an assistant the next four seasons before becoming the head coach in 1979. She was just the third head women's volleyball coach in Pioneer history (Patricia Huber 1971-73, Bernie Walsen 1974-78). Ferrarella completed a bachelor's degree in physical education at William Paterson in 1975. 

Ferrarella's Volleyball Highlights

• 709-441 record during 41 seasons overall (15th all time in Division III victories; 1979-2019)
• Three New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament titles
• Fifteen NJAC Tournament appearances
• One ECAC Tournament berth
• Thirty-five winning seasons, including fourteen 20-win campaigns
• One NJAC Coach of the Year award
• Four NJAC specialty awards (two Players of the Year, two Rookies of the Year)
• Thirty-seven all-NJAC honorees
• Six former players inducted into the WP Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame
• 2006 New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Sports Award
• 2009 NJSIAA Legends Club inductee