Charlie Sullivan | Springfield College

Charlie Sullivan

Charlie Sullivan

Professor of Physical Education / Men's Volleyball Coach
Charlie Sullivan
  • Master of Physical Education, Springfield College, Springfield, Mass., 1997
  • Bachelor of Science in General Education, Springfield College, Springfield, Mass., 1991

Charlie Sullivan is a passionate teacher of sport psychology, advanced level coaching, and sports physics lab. He is a USA Volleyball "All-Time Great Coach" award winner. As head coach, Sullivan has lead the Springfield College men's volleyball team to 11 National Championships, making it the winningest program in Division III volleyball. As assistant coach for the U.S. men's volleyball team, Sullivan helped guide the team to a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Brazil. He is also director of the Springfield Boys' Volleyball School overnight and traveling camps. He also served as head coach of USA volleyball at the Pan American Games in Toronto in 2015, was men's volleyball consultant-coach at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and led the USA Youth National Team as head coach in 2021.

Courses Taught
  • Sports Psychology
  • Advanced Level Coaching
  • Sport Physics
  • Coaching and Officiating Volleyball
  • Volleyball Skills
Certifications and Memberships
  • Volleyball Hall of Fame
  • Division III All-American Committee
  • Division III National Poll Voter
  • American Volleyball Coaches Association

Selected Works

Research Interests

  • Data Analysis - Coaching Pedagogy
  • Research in volleyball statistics and techniques, including effective blocking footwork
  • Statistics that directly correlate with point differential
  • History of the height of the volleyball net in men's and women's volleyball

Publications

  • Contributed articles in American Volleyball Coaches Association Coaching Volleyball magazine
  • Co-authored the book Winning the Game of Belief: Cultivating the Cultural Grit that Defines America's Greatest Coaches (2019)
  • Authored Coaching Youth Sports: Guidelines to Ensure Development of Youth Athletes (2021)

Presentations

  • "Teamwork in Business," Keynote Speaker at Travelers Insurance Leadership Conference, 2020
  • "Motivation During COVID," Various High School Presentations (via Zoom), 2021