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| Santiago Chronicles |
| Women's Individual Awards |
| One MAAC Rookie of the Year (Smith - 2017) |
| One MAAC First Team All-Conference Honoree |
| One MAAC Rookie Team All-Conference Honoree |
Patric Santiago begins his third year at the helm of the Iona College volleyball program in 2017 after being appointed head coach on June 20, 2016.
2017 was a banner year of surpassing expectations for Santiago and the Gaels. Iona finished the year at 16-18, 11-7 MAAC and earned a spot in the MAAC Tournament as the number three seed. Iona defeated No. 6 Quinnipiac in the opening round and swept No. 2 Niagara to advance to the MAAC Championship contest against the Stags. Despite falling in straight sets on Fairfield's home court, Iona's future proved bright with just two seniors graduating off the 2017 roster.
Freshman Jamie Smith was voted the MAAC Rookie of the Year Claire Archibald was named to the All-MAAC First Team and All-ECAC Volleyball First Team. Eight earned MAAC All-Academic Team honors.
The Gaels won two of their last three matches to end Santiago’s first year that included a 6-6 home record inside the Hynes Center. Additionally, six student-athletes were named to the MAAC All-Academic Team.
Santiago joined the Maroon & Gold in the summer of 2016 after having served as the head coach at SUNY Farmingdale for seven seasons. He helped lead the Rams to a 39-25 Skyline Conference record, earning six consecutive post season appearances.
During his tenure, Farmingdale posted seven straight top three finishes in the athletic department's Team GPA Award standings. Santiago acted as the academic moderator, ensuring his student-athletes succeeded both inside and outside the classroom.
Santiago began his career at his alma mater shortly after his graduation in 2006. He served as an assistant track & field coach with the Rams before becoming the team's head coach in 2011. While leading the program, he saw four school records broken and helped in the mentoring of two NCAA Division III Championship qualifiers.
In 2008, Santiago set foot inside the classroom as an adjunct professor, teaching physical education classes in sports management.
As a professional volleyball player, Santiago remains an active member in USA Volleyball, competing in multiple AVP Tour events as well as Open level competition. He was an AVP Main Draw Athlete in 2015, a Jose Cuervo Pro Beach player in 2013 and a Barefoot Win Championship Cup athlete in 2010. Santiago is currently an active participant in USAV Adult Volleyball.
Santiago established Dawn Patrol Volleyball Incorporated in 2014, Long Island's largest beach volleyball club. He continues to aid and mentor club coaches under his personally developed model of technical instruction. In addition, Santiago is a club coach for the Island Volleyball Academy in Oakdale, NY; he develops and fosters mental and physical growth among his players while also participating in club fundraising activities.
Academically, Santiago graduated from Farmingdale State with a GPA of 3.96 with a Bachelor's Degree in business management. While competing for the Rams, Santiago was a four-sport athlete, excelling in soccer, golf, indoor and outdoor track. He is the only student-athlete to ever compete in four sports in school history and was captain of all four sports during his career.
Santiago was named an ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American in 2006. He was the first student-athlete at Farmingdale to receive the Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence in 2005, a two-time recipient of the Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Award (2005, 2006) and a two-time Farmingdale State Male Athlete of the Year (2004, 2006). He also received the 2006 ECAC Robbins Scholar-Athlete Award, which is given annually to just one male and one female student-athlete throughout all NCAA divisions.
