Written by: Colleen Gonzalez, Assistant Sports Information Director
A new wave of college graduates recently left their life of dormitories and classrooms to step into a different reality beyond the world of academia. For many who walked in their shoes long ago, they can remember how much their experiences in college have shaped their lives for the better.
No one feels this more than former State University of New York at New Paltz men’s volleyball middle blocker Glenn Warnock ’92.
“Those years set the course for me to be able to strive for what made me happy, while at the same time supporting myself and my family,” said Warnock.
Warnock’s interest in volleyball developed during his time in high school but his passion for the sport blossomed when he attended SUNY Orange and began to take classes with professor Marie Piccone.
“I was very lucky that she did not run her volleyball classes like most gym classes,” said Warnock. “She ran a very skill oriented practice where we learned to play the game correctly. Soon I was playing about 20 hours a week.”
Upon graduating from SUNY Orange, Warnock knew he wanted to continue his volleyball career and New Paltz was the closest school that had a prestigious program.
When he first visited New Paltz during winter break in 1988, it was a typical dark, dreary northeastern day and the campus was devoid of students. Despite the conditions, Warnock was impressed with what he saw.
However, he cemented his decision to attend New Paltz when he made his way to explore the gym but found the doors locked.
“A man came down the stairs and offered to show us around,” said Warnock. “It turned out to be the head men’s basketball coach Paul Clune. He answered some questions and was very welcoming. If I had not already decided, that interaction sealed the deal.”
Warnock also fondly remembers how comfortable he felt with his teammates when he first joined, a factor he attributes to his success at New Paltz.
“Suddenly I had people looking out for me, giving me good advice, and people to share time with,” said Warnock. “All of these things happen to all college students and I was lucky enough to be brought into that fold within my first few weeks on campus.
“To me, being comfortable is the first key to success; without it you are lost.”
In addition to feeling comfortable with his team he also learned that working together as a team, for the good of the team will always produce better results than the individuals working for themselves.
“I use this approach to everything in my life,” said Warnock. “I enjoy accolades as much as the next person, but I enjoy seeing a group succeed more than anything.”
Warnock also credits his success to former head coach Dr. William Odeneal, who started the volleyball program at New Paltz, and Tony Bonilla, the current assistant men’s volleyball coach, both of whom gave him the tools necessary to develop as an athlete.
“My first year I had Bill Odeneal. He retired a year later, but not before I got a full season of his outstanding insight into the game,” said Warnock. “From my second to fourth season Tony Bonilla was my coach. He was, still is and probably always will be New Paltz’s greatest male volleyball player.
“He was so instrumental in developing my skills and getting the most out of my game it’s impossible to measure.”
Bonilla recently helped the Hawks to one of their best season as the team finished with a 33-2 overall record in the 2016 season and went undefeated against Division III teams. Furthermore, New Paltz earned its second United Volleyball Conference (UVC) title and its first NCAA Division III Championship title, a feat that Warnock says has been building for decades.
“New Paltz has an amazing history of success in men’s volleyball,” said Warnock. “I’m glad they got the right coaching staff and great players to be able to put it all together. It’s an amazing accomplishment that was celebrated around the country.”
Warnock graduated New Paltz in 1992 with a degree in psychology and lives in Kingston with his wife and young daughter. He has followed a career in human services where he has worked with different groups, from at risk children and teens to recovering addicts and currently works as a Senior Case Manager for the Ulster County Office for the Aging, where he tries to help senior citizens remain in their home.
Although he takes pride in his work, if asked on the street about his career he will say, “I am a volleyball coach.”
Warnock has coached at SUNY Orange, Bard College, and even had a brief stint as head coach at New Paltz in 1996 but ended up finding his niche at SUNY Ulster.
“I’m currently gearing up for my 12th season at SUNY Ulster as the head women’s volleyball coach,” said Warnock. “I’ve also become the Assistant Athletic Director and I love my role in college athletics.”
Although it has been many years since he last passed through the doors of New Paltz, the impact the college had on him was life changing and to this day he is grateful for his time as a Hawk.
“I grew so much at New Paltz as a person it would be hard to identify what exactly had the biggest impact,” said Warnock. “I utilize my degree to this day for my professional career, I use the skills and team building from volleyball both as a supervisor and a coach, but most of all I utilize the caring and empathetic attitude from so many great people I met while in college.
“There really is no place else like SUNY New Paltz.”
