1/17/2026
ONEONTA, NY – When Hartwick College tapped Joshua Bigford last summer to launch its inaugural men’s volleyball program, they knew they were getting one of Division III’s most decorated recent players. They also understood the reality of building a program from scratch.
Through the first week of competition, Bigford’s Hawks have already played five matches, giving the young coach his first taste of leading a program from the sideline. The former four-time All-American, who earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management from St. John Fisher University in May 2024, is now navigating the challenges of building a program from the ground up while continuing his role as Assistant Coach for Hartwick’s women’s volleyball program.
From Player to Coach
Bigford’s playing career with the Fisher Cardinals established him as one of the most decorated athletes in Division III men’s volleyball history. During his five-year tenure (2019-2023), the 6-4 outside hitter from Cicero, New York, became the university’s all-time kills leader with 1,484 career kills, a record that ranked fourth among all active Division III players at the time of his graduation.
His trophy case tells the story of dominance:
- Four-time AVCA All-American (2020-2023)
- AVCA North Region Player of the Year (2022)
- UVC Player of the Year (2022)
- UVC Co-Player of the Year (2020)
- Empire 8 Player of the Year (2020)
- UVC Rookie of the Year (2019)
- UVC Championships Most Outstanding Player (2022)
Bigford’s 2022 campaign stands as perhaps his finest, leading Fisher to its first UVC Championship while recording 345 kills and a .316 hitting percentage. He became the first player in program history to surpass 1,000 career kills and averaged 3.46 kills per set during that championship season.
His final season in 2023 saw him earn First-Team All-America honors while hitting a career-best .333 across 102 sets in 30 matches, finishing with 324 kills, 41 aces, and 123 digs.
Proving His Coaching Chops
Bigford first arrived at Hartwick in August 2023 as an assistant coach for the women’s program, and his impact was immediate. In his debut season, he helped guide the Hawks to the semifinals of the Empire 8 Championship. His second year proved even more successful, as Hartwick posted an impressive 20-3 overall record and 9-2 conference mark in 2024 before reaching the first round of the Empire 8 Championship.
That success on the women’s side, combined with his elite playing credentials and growing reputation as a teacher of the game, made Bigford the natural choice when Hartwick decided to launch men’s volleyball. Prior to his college coaching career, he gained valuable experience as Head Coach of the Snowstorm Beach Volleyball Club and has been providing private lessons and instruction at CNY Volleyball Camps since 2018.
The Challenge of Year One
Five matches into his inaugural season as a head coach, Bigford is experiencing firsthand the steep learning curve that comes with launching a program. His roster features 11 freshmen competing in their first collegiate matches, a group with zero upperclassmen leadership or program tradition to lean on. The Hawks opened their season 0-5, facing the inevitable growing pains of a first-year program competing against established programs.
The Hawks’ roster includes 6-5 middle hitter Matt Ramirez from Rome Free Academy, who brings size and blocking potential, 6-2 outside hitters Ethan McCaw and Xander Steadham, and setters Anthony Florio and Nate Roorbach tasked with running the offense. The team draws talent from throughout New York, Massachusetts, and even São Paulo, Brazil, with Central Valley Academy contributing two players (libero Colby Myers and outside hitter Ethan McCaw).
Starting a program presents unique challenges. With no veterans, no established culture, and no historical expectations, everything Bigford teaches these young athletes represents their first exposure to collegiate volleyball. The early losses, while difficult, provide valuable teaching moments as the Hawks learn what it takes to compete at the Division III level.
The Bigford Advantage
What Bigford lacks in head coaching experience, he compensates for with recent, elite-level playing knowledge. Having just hung up his jersey two years ago, he understands the modern game’s nuances and can demonstrate techniques with a credibility few young coaches possess. His four All-American selections prove he mastered the technical and mental aspects required to excel at the highest Division III level.
Moreover, Bigford knows what championship programs look like. He was the cornerstone of Fisher’s first UVC Championship team and competed against the best the conference had to offer year after year. That institutional knowledge of what it takes to build and sustain success is invaluable as he establishes Hartwick’s program culture, even if the wins don’t come immediately.
Balancing dual responsibilities as both men’s head coach and women’s assistant coach presents its own challenges, but Bigford’s work ethic was legendary during his playing days. As a team captain who led by example, he understands the commitment required to excel at multiple roles.
Building for the Future
The 0-5 start is hardly unexpected for a program playing its first competitive matches. First-year programs rarely find immediate success, particularly when competing in a challenging Empire 8 Conference against established programs with experienced rosters. Each match provides crucial experience for Bigford’s all-freshman squad, building toward future competitiveness.
The volleyball community understands the long-term nature of program building. Bigford’s playing credentials and early coaching success with Hartwick’s women’s program suggest he has the tools to develop his young roster into a competitive unit. The question isn’t whether the Hawks will struggle in year one, it’s how quickly Bigford can establish the foundation for sustained success.
As the season progresses, the young Hawks will continue facing growing pains. But with a coach who knows what championship volleyball looks like and possesses the competitive fire that earned him four All-American honors, Hartwick has positioned itself for long-term growth. The early losses are simply part of the process as one of Division III’s most accomplished recent players learns the coaching side of the game while his freshman roster develops the skills and chemistry needed to compete.
Thanks for acknowledging. He is a hardworking kid.