Hunter College Athletics

Nicolas Sanchez was named the head coach of the Hunter College men's volleyball program in December 2018.

In 2020, Sanchez's squad posted a 13-7 overall record with a 5-0 mark in conference action before the season was ended due to the COVID-19 situation.Of their 15 non-conference games, they faced six top-10 nationally ranked teams. The season was highlighted by four being named to the CUNYAC All-Star team; one on the first team and three on the second.

2019 marked the first season under Sanchez after one season as an assistant coach and four as a student-athlete. Under his guidance, the Hawks posted a 20-13 overall record with an unblemished 7-0 mark in CUNYAC play. After a difficult opening three matches to the season, Sanchez's squad bounced back and strung together a 10-game win streak that included a 3-2 win over then #2 SUNY New Paltz at home. His team secured the CUNYAC Regular Season title for the third straight year and earned the top seed in the conference tournament. Despite making quick work of Medgar Evers, the Hawks settled for runner up status after falling to Baruch, 3-2. However, they bounced back and claimed the ECAC Tournament Championship after defeating Juniata in five sets. Sanchez's athletes garnered eight CUNYAC Weekly Awards, four CUNYAC All-Stars, two CUNYAC All-Tournament and three ECAC All-Tournament nods, two All-ECAC kudos, the ECAC Tournament MVP in Blake Hogan, and the CUNYAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year in Michael Jazgarski.

Sanchez will provide his knowledge of the sport and dedication to Hunter athletics after spending the past five years immersed in Hunter men's volleyball.  
 
"We are excited to have Nicolas Sanchez lead our men's volleyball program as the next head coach at Hunter College," said Director of Athletics, Recreation and Intramurals Terry Wansart. "As a former stellar student-athlete and assistant coach, he has invested tirelessly into the Hawk program, which has reached the regional and national level.
 
"His personal knowledge of Hunter College, NYC, and local club teams will provide him a strong foundation to continue the growth of the men's program. We are confident Coach Sanchez will meet his own and his teams' high expectations for the 2019 season. His reputation as one of the hardest working student-athletes in Hunter's history will serve the team well in the coaching realm.
 
"He embodies the value of working hard to be the best 'one' can be; despite the naysayers and/or obstacles."
 
A former standout player at Hunter, Sanchez spent last season as an assistant coach for the team that won its third-straight CUNYAC championship. Sanchez helped the 2018 squad to 23 wins, including a perfect 8-0 record in conference play.
 
As an assistant, Sanchez's duties included managing player development, practice planning, statistics, scheduling and travel. Under his direction, five Hawks were named CUNYAC All-Stars, while setter Alec Helford was tabbed the 2018 CUNYAC Rookie of the Year.
 
A four-year player from the years of 2014 to 2017, he has been a member of some of Hunter's most successful teams in school history, including two CUNYAC championship squads. As the starting setter during his senior campaign, Sanchez guided the Hawks offense that advanced to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Championships.
 
A two-time CUNYAC First-Team All-Star, he ended his playing career ranking fourth all-time in the Hunter record books for career assists, recording 2,069 over his four seasons.
 
He is no stranger to winning, posting an overall record of 113-57 (.665 winning percentage) while a part of the Hunter program.
 
"I would like to thank Terry Wansart and the Hunter athletics staff for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to lead this team," said Sanchez. "I'm excited to get started on continuing the championship tradition that the men's volleyball team has upheld over the past few seasons as we aim for success on the national level. I hope to develop the same work ethic, positive culture and commitment in these players that Hunter athletics instilled in me during my years as a student-athlete."
 
Sanchez graduated from Hunter College in May 2018 with a B.A. in Economics.