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Head Coach Jonathan Penn

Jonathan Penn, who led Vassar's men's volleyball team to the program's first-ever Molten Division III Tournament appearance in 2001 and the prestigious NCAA Open Tournament in 2003, begins his 11th season at the helm.

Penn, who also coaches Vassar's women's volleyball team, is the winningest volleyball coach in school history. On September 18, 2004, the women's team defeated Brockport, 3-1, making him the school's all-time leader in victories. He finished the 2004-05 seasons with a 152-117 record with the women's program and a 94-103 record with the men's team, a combined 246-203 mark.

Penn, who became Vassar's head men's head coach in 1997, has led the Brewers to the semifinals of the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Tournament four times and a finalist spot once. Under his guidance, six former players have been named All-EIVA and two others -- David Paine and Steve Gilhool -- have earned District I Academic All-America honors by CoSida, the nation's organization of Sports Information Director's.

Deeply rooted in the game, Penn is active with the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) and New York State Women's College Athletic Association (NYWSCAA). Penn arrived at Vassar from Santa Monica (Calif.) College were he began coaching in 1989. At Santa Monica, he served two years as the women's assistant, three as the women's associate coach. In addition, he was the men's associate coach for three years and the head coach for three seasons.

While completing a bachelor's degree in English from UCLA in 1990 and a master's degree in Education at California State University at Hayward in 1993, Penn worked with various youth and adult programs in the greater Los Angeles area. He also served as a counselor at numerous volleyball camps.

As scholarship player at Penn State, Penn won championships on Junior Olympic squads and later competed in the Olympic Festival. In 2003, 2004, 2005, he has coached and played in New York's Empire State Games and earned a bronze medal playing in the Masters Division all three years.

Penn and his wife Patricia have a son and a daughter, and reside in the Town of Poughkeepsie.

 

Coach Penn's Athletic Philosophy

"Keeping the 'student' in student-athlete is the key to NCAA Division III athletics. Working with players who strike that balance and accomplish so much in their college lives is tremendous. You can have the academics and the athletics all in one package."

On Vassar Athletics

"Vassar athletics is unique in my experience in its combination of quality athletics, outstanding academics and a truly diverse and exciting student population. Being able to work with student-athletes that are this bright and motivated is a real pleasure."