Serving Greatness

Long before she stepped onto the stage at the Aqua Turf Club on November 25, 2025, to be inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Volleyball Hall of Fame, Michelle Abraham had already earned her place in New Britain history. As a cherished Brookside School teacher and the steady force behind New Britain High School volleyball for decades, Abraham has shaped lives, built programs, and inspired countless student-athletes. This year, the Hall of Fame made official what our community has long known: she is truly one of the greats.

For more than 35 years, Abraham has been a cornerstone of New Britain athletics and education. A Hurricane herself, she first made her mark as a three-sport athlete at NBHS, earning varsity letters in volleyball, basketball, and softball before continuing her education at CCSU. Soon after, she returned home, beginning a teaching career with CSDNB that has spanned over three decades.

Abraham began her coaching career in 1988, stepping into the head volleyball coach role following New Britain legend Coach Bill Ackerman. In the 38 seasons since, she has built one of the most respected volleyball programs in the state. Under her leadership, New Britain volleyball has achieved 376 career wins, 20 CIAC State Tournament appearances, 6 State Quarterfinal appearances, 5 League/Division Championships, 998 Class LL State Runner-up (23–2 season) and the 1999 CIAC Class LL State Championship (25–0 season). 

Her coaching accolades extend beyond the court. She was named Connecticut High School Coaches Association Volleyball Coach of the Year in 2002, selected as Connecticut’s nominee for National Coach of the Year in 2008, inducted into the New Britain Sports Hall of Fame in 2016, and was a finalist for National Coach of the Year in 2018.

Never one to shy away from growing opportunities for students, Abraham founded the NBHS Boys Volleyball program in 2018. The program quickly became a competitive force, qualifying for the CIAC State Tournament each of the past four seasons and tying for the division championship in 2023 and 2025, with a combined record of 50–27 in the last four years.

While her list of achievements is long, colleagues and students often point first to Abraham’s character. As her Hall of Fame induction remarks stated, “It is not always about the wins and losses; it is about building character, and Coach Abraham always puts 110% into her seasons and supports her players both on and off the court.”

NBHS Athletic Director Lisa Grega reflected on Abraham’s induction with deep admiration:

“Michelle Abraham is the definition of longevity, loyalty, and love for New Britain athletics,” Matthews said. “Her impact goes far beyond championships. She has spent decades building young people up—teaching them to lead, to persevere, and to believe in themselves. Coaches like Michelle don’t just shape teams; they shape communities. This honor is so well deserved, and we are incredibly proud of her.”

From both the girls’ and boys’ volleyball programs, student-athletes shared heartfelt reflections:

“Coach Abraham changed the way I saw myself as a player,” said one NBHS senior on the boys’ volleyball team. “She pushed us to be better every single day—on the court, in school, and as people. You always knew she believed in you, and that made you want to work even harder.”

Another player added, “She started the boys’ program when there was nothing here. Now we’re a team that competes, wins, and supports each other. That’s because of Coach Abraham. She built this from the ground up, and we’re proud to play for her.”

Reflecting on her induction, Abraham shared heartfelt appreciation for the community that shaped her career:

“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is incredibly humbling,” she said. “New Britain is my home. Everything I’ve accomplished comes from the people here—the players who gave their all, the coaches who mentored me, and the families who trusted me with their children. Coaching has never been just about volleyball. It’s about helping young people grow, discover their confidence, and realize they can do hard things. I am grateful every day for the opportunity to be part of their journey.”

The Connecticut Women’s Volleyball Hall of Fame seeks to recognize individuals who have contributed to volleyball in superlative fashion through effort, dedication, service, and achievement—qualities Coach Abraham embodies in every sense. The organization honors inductees whose excellence “speaks with a voice of its own,” a fitting tribute to the impact Abraham has made on generations of New Britain athletes.

The entire CSDNB community extends its warmest congratulations to Coach Michelle Abraham on this well-earned recognition, and we thank her for her lifelong commitment to our students, schools, and the New Britain community.

This story is from the January 2026 District Dispatch. Learn more here. 

January 2026 Edition