Player Bio

After leading the men's volleyball program at State University of New York at New Paltz to the 2016 Division III National Championship title and putting an end to a stellar playing career which included All-America honors, Chris Husmann '16 wanted to stay involved with the sport he loved.
 
This opportunity came after graduation when he accepted a head coaching position at SUNY Purchase.
 
Husmann played for the Hawks' men's volleyball team from 2013-16 and grew up in Long Island, attending Massapequa High School. He started playing volleyball as a suggestion from a coach from another sport.
 
"When I was in eighth grade, my basketball coach told me to play volleyball because it would help my vertical for basketball," Husmann explained. "I tried out for the team and had no idea what I was doing, but I had so much fun at the practices and games that I continued the sport."
 
Husmann also received assistance from a future Hawks' teammate while he was learning to play volleyball in Massapequa.
 
"With the help of fellow New Paltz alumni Brian Smith, I learned the rules and rotations because he would physically drag me from position to position in order to explain to me how to rotate."
 
When deciding where to go for college, Husmann was strongly considering two schools.
 
"When I was a senior, I had applied to two schools, George Mason and New Paltz. Brian Smith reached out to me yet again and said that I would have the opportunity to play my freshman year and every year following," Husmann stated.
 
Smith told Husmann to visit New Paltz and see the school since Smith absolutely loved attending the College.
 
"After I visited, it didn't take long for me to make up my mind and commit to New Paltz."
 
Upon the beginning of his Hawks' volleyball career, Husmann immediately received playing time as he started 31of the 33 matches during his freshman year, leading the team in hitting percentage.
 
Husmann would receive consistent playing time throughout his career, playing under accomplished head coach Radu Petrus.
 
"Playing for Radu is quite the experience; his attitude toward the game is unlike anyone I have ever played for before," Husmann expressed. "He is very straight forward in his ways and has developed me into a more powerful player. Radu has united all the alumni through his many quotes that make everyone laugh."
 
The defining moment in Husmann's career was being part of the first-ever men's volleyball National Championship during his senior season.
 
"My teammates and I had been working exceptionally hard since day one of our freshman year, Husmann said. "Going through extremely difficult preseasons and hard-fought practices every day for it to finally pay off with a National Championship meant the world to us."
 
"There is an iconic picture with Steven Woessner that perfectly describes everyone's feelings of winning the championship, somewhere between shock and speechlessness."
 
Upon graduating, Husmann became the head coach of the SUNY Purchase men's volleyball team. In his first season as head coach, the team finished 14-9, which is the team's first winning record in over five seasons.
 
Husmann says that the change from athlete to coach has not been a difficult transition, despite his players being around the same age as him.
 
"The transition from playing to coaching was a very smooth one for me thanks to the players I have at Purchase. It could have been very difficult because of the age and I actually had a player who was older than me, but they all listened to what I had to say and executed what I said more often than not."
 
While Husmann has enjoyed his time coaching, seeing his players on the court makes him miss his days as an athlete.
 
"Coaching does make me miss playing because sometimes in games I would just want to jump on the court and play alongside some of my players," Husmann said.
 
Husmann points to his experience of being a student-athlete as nothing but helpful for him going forward.
 
"Being a student-athlete at New Paltz impacted me in only positive ways. It taught me how to balance my time between school work and playing, as well as created lasting relationships."