FREDONIA, N.Y. — Fredonia State Athletics announces the hiring of Calvin Crosby as the new head coach of the women's volleyball program. Crosby will assume his duties immediately and will lead the Blue Devils into the upcoming fall 2026 season.

Crosby brings a proven record of program-building success, recruiting excellence, and student-athlete development following a highly impactful tenure at nearby Hilbert College, where he has served as head coach of both the men's and women's volleyball programs since 2020.

"Fredonia State volleyball has a rich tradition of success in the SUNYAC," said P.J. Gondek, the Fredonia State Director of Athletics. "Cal Crosby has the experience and the proven record of accomplishments to lead our program going forward and continue to provide the type of student-athlete experience that we strive for both academically and athletically."

At Hilbert, Crosby revitalized the women's volleyball program, transforming it from a roster of just six players with no wins over a three-year stretch into a competitive contender in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. Under his leadership, the Hawks posted a 20–11 record in 2025 and reached the AMCC semifinals, while also setting multiple program and school records. The record-setting season led to Crosby being named Hilbert's 2026 Sal Buscaglia Coach of the Year. (See FULL STORY).

During his tenure, his teams produced several all-conference selections, including the AMCC co-newcomer of the year in 2025.

In addition to his work with the women's program, Crosby was instrumental in rebuilding Hilbert's men's volleyball team. He restarted the program in 2020 after a three-year hiatus, built a full roster, and led the team to a playoff appearance in 2023, while mentoring multiple all-conference athletes.

"Hearing that I was offered the position was a dream come true," Crosby said. "Fredonia State has always been a school I could see myself at long term, and the kind of college I wanted to work at one day when I first stepped into collegiate volleyball. I am ecstatic to be a Blue Devil!"

A Western New York native, Crosby has deep ties to the regional volleyball community through extensive club and high school coaching experience. He has held leadership roles with Lockport Volleyball Club since 2017 and previously coached with Niagara Frontier and Niagara County Volleyball clubs, along with serving as girls' head junior varsity coach at Starpoint High School.

Crosby was also a standout collegiate player at Medaille College, where he was a four-year starter for a nationally ranked NCAA Division III program. He earned AMCC Co-Player of the Year honors in 2017, was a three-time all-conference selection, and helped lead his team to NEAC regular-season and tournament championships in 2015 and 2016. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Medaille with a concentration in Social Studies & Special Education grades 7 through 12. His teaching stops have included substitute positions at Starpoint and Iroquois high schools and a full-time tenure track at Niagara Falls High School.

Crosby succeeds Geoff Braun, who announced his retirement after the 2025 season. A four-time SUNYAC Coach of the Year, Braun served as Fredonia State's head coach since 1999 and amassed a lifetime coaching record of 501-352 over 26 seasons.

"Fredonia State volleyball," Crosby said, "has been a staple of the Western New York volleyball community with a strong history under Coach Geoff Braun. My long-term goal is to continue the strong culture, the success, and to further build on the current team. With a strong returning class and an already successful season in 2025, I think the team can be even more successful this season, even pushing into the semis or finals of the SUNYAC championships this year."