Sarcone hopes to "sock" ECC

Nicole Sarcone was well aware of the College of Staten Island (CSI), but if it were not for a connection with one of its all-time great players, Christina Pasaturo, Sarcone admits she might not be at the helm of the school in NYC’s outermost borough.

“She basically stalked me to go for the job,” joked the third-year CSI leader. “I coached her in high school (Notre Dame Academy) and she thought I’d be a good fit.

Pasaturo was the Dolphins’ all-time leading scorer with over 2100 points and one of the best players, not only in school history, but in the CUNYAC’s record books.  The two-time league Player of the Year convinced the coach of Staten Island Academy to apply for the women's basketball head coach position.  

“It was really difficult to leave,” Sarcone commented on parting ways with her former school after two years and one State Championship. “I didn’t want to be a coach who just kept taking a new job, however CSI was the right job and the right fit at the right time.”

Sarcone, was hired as a Division III head coach in that same CUNYAC school in 2018, but just days after she took the job, she was pitched a curveball.

“They told me we were going to go D2,” said the 2010 SUNY New Paltz graduate.  “I was just getting my feet wet with D3 and all of a sudden I realized there is so much more to learn.”

Undaunted, the two-time captain of her college team, made a new plan.

“Initially I was a little bit overwhelmed, but the goal is always to play the best competition at the highest level.”

Don’t let the humble Sarcone fool you.  She’s won everywhere she has been and her first two seasons at CSI have been no exception.  Despite all the adjustments on the fly, the three-time All-Conference selection in her playing days can’t wait to get back on the floor.

“Last season was coaching on zooms,” Sarcone said while leading during Covid.  “I spent the majority of time focused on the academics of our student-athletes. Now, the energy level here is contagious.”

Sarcone has never had a losing season as a Head Coach over the past eight years and CSI’s women’s hoop program has only endured three losing campaigns since 1996.  However, it’s a new tradition that will be implemented when the squad returns to game action.

“For four seasons at Notre Dame Academy I used the same black Nike sock to clean off the dry erase wipe board.  This year it’s a fresh start, new Division, and after 18 months off, new Nike Sock!”