Eastern Connecticut State University

For 22 seasons under Floretta A. “Pinky” Crabtree, the intercollegiate volleyball program served as the benchmark within New England Division III circles. A member of the physical education/coaching staff for 26 years, Crabtree instituted, developed and maintained a program that collected wins and tournament championships and which warranted post-season tournament invitations at an alarming pace. The Camden, Maine native coached the program’s first 911 matches, winning 616 and losing only 295 before stepping down after the 1996 season as the winningest coach at all levels in the history of New England collegiate volleyball. Crabtree’s teams qualified for the post season every year from 1977 through 1996, 11 of them in the NCAA and five in the ECAC. Two teams (1985 and ’88) won ECAC titles. Crabtree was also an advocate in the promotion and advancement of New England Division III volleyball on the national level, and in 1994, was named selection committee chairperson when the New England area was ultimately recognized with its own region. Two of Crabtree’s players were named All-America, 18 all-region and 25 All-New England. An immeasurable source of pride for Crabtree, however, was the academic accomplishments of her student-athletes. In all, 16 players earned an E-Club Scholar-Athlete Award from 1981 through 1997 and 21 of her 22 four-year letterwinners earned undergraduate degrees.