Cary Cusumano is in his seventh season in 2014 as the lead assistant of the Lindenwood women’s volleyball team, and he is in his eighth year overall at the school.
Cusumano assists with all areas of the program. He plans practices, assists in game plans, leads the off-season volleyball training, and works closely with the strength and conditioning staff to create programs for spring and summer conditioning. He also serves as the program’s leading recruiter.
Under Cusumano’s guidance, the Lady Lions have compiled a record of 190-94. While a member of the NAIA, Lindenwood won three HAAC championships and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament three times. The Lady Lions spent the majority of that time ranked in the top 25 and rose to as high as the ninth spot in 2008.
Last year, Lindenwood climbed the MIAA standings as it finished tied for seventh in just its second year in one of the toughest leagues at the NCAA Division II level. Among the team’s wins was a 3-1 victory over Nebraska-Kearney, which was ranked in the top-10 in the nation. In the team’s first season of NCAA and MIAA play, the Lady Lions finished just one win away from being .500 for the season.
In 2011, Cusumano helped the Lady Lions go 27-13 during their transition season to the NCAA Division II level and a victory in the end-of-season transition tournament. Last season, Lindenwood went 15-17 in its first season with a full NCAA Division II schedule.
Cusumano was also an assistant for the men’s team for many years and he played a big role in the program winning its first national title. At the 2009 Men’s NAIA National Invitational Tournament, head coach Ron Young was unable to attend the first day of play leaving the team in Cusumano’s care. Cusumano stepped in with confidence, coaching the team to near flawless sets, defeating Hope International University and defending National Champion Park University. The following day the men’s team went on to defeat perennial powerhouse and four-time national champion California Baptist in straight sets for the Lions' first-ever national championship.
In addition to his duties at Lindenwood, Cusumano coaches boys and girls for St. Louis High Performance Volleyball club. In 2011 and 2012 he served on the coaching staff for the USA Boys Youth National A2 Program and has been an evaluator for the USA Junior and Youth National teams. He formerly worked for Team St. Louis Volleyball Club, Genesis Volleyball Club, Missouri Thunder Volleyball Club and Team Momentum Volleyball Club. Cusumano joined Lindenwood after six seasons of coaching at Notre Dame High School in St. Louis.
Cusumano also serves Lindenwood as a professor in the First Year Programs teaching the LUL 101 course.
Cusumano is a 1995 graduate of St. Louis University High School. Cusumano received his bachelor’s degree in education from Harris-Stowe State University in 2006. He received a master’s in education from Lindenwood in 2009.
