(05-22-08)
WEST HAVEN, Conn. -- University of New Haven Director of Athletics Deborah Chin announced today that Danny Goncalves has become the second head coach in the history of the Charger men's volleyball program. Goncalves moves into the top spot on the sidelines after serving as an assistant coach for UNH during the 2008 season.
"I'm excited to have been picked for this position," said Goncalves. "I'm ready to work hard for the players and the University of New Haven to make this program successful."
Goncalves was an assistant coach for UNH in 2008, when the Chargers finished 10-15. UNH won six of its first eight matches during non-conference play. Goncalves returned to West Haven after attending UNH from 2002-2006. While a member of the Chargers' team from 2003-06, Goncalves played in 334 games and ranks eighth all-time at UNH with 680.5 career points. Goncalves totaled 504 kills which is good enough for eighth all-time and his career 1.51 kills per game average ranks him 15th. His 146 assists place him seventh on the career list as a Charger.
Goncalves also ranks in the top-10 in service aces with 66 and is currently fourth all-time in career digs (421) and fifth in career total blocks with 177 (44 solo and 133 assisted).
He brings with him an extensive amount of volleyball experience both on the court and on the sidelines. His playing experience includes a stint in Europe competing for Castelo Da Maia in Portugal, which is a first division pro league team. Goncalves spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Shelton High School, where the team won four SCC Conference titles and captured two state championships. In Connecticut, he has helped the CT Junior Olympic teams, and he also spent a year in California coaching at the Performance Volleyball Academy. He led his PVA girls team to a top-30 ranking in the country.
Currently, Goncalves is a member of the Gold Medal Squared Organization, a member of USA Volleyball, and he is an Impact Volleyball certified coach. He resides in Shelton, Conn.
