Updated: Feb-05
Cal Poly Hires Stevenson as Women's
Volleyball Coach
(2/17/05) SAN LUIS OBISPO Jon Stevenson, head volleyball coach at Saint Mary's
for the past three seasons, has been selected to coach the Cal Poly women's
volleyball program.
The announcement was made at a press conference Thursday by Cal Poly director of athletics Alison Cone.
Stevenson led the Saint Mary's volleyball program to a second-place finish in the West Coast Conference and a appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. The Gaels finished the season with a 25-4 record and a final ranking of 13th in the USA Today/CSTV Coaches Poll.
VBall Magazine honored him as the 2004 NCAA Division I "Coach of the Year". "Jon will be a perfect fit for our volleyball program," said Cone. "With Cal Poly's rich tradition and history in the volleyball program, Jon is the right coach at the right time to lead Cal Poly back into national prominence."
Cal Poly has made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances since the program was launched in 1979.
Stevenson, the fourth head coach in the 26-year history of the Mustang volleyball program, guided Saint Mary's from an RPI ranking of 235 in his first season to No. 12 in the nation last fall.
"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to be the new head volleyball coach at Cal Poly," Stevenson said. "The program has had a legacy of success and I intend to bring the program back to the elite, nationally prominent status it attained in the mid-1980s.
"I am extremely impressed with the athletics department, and have developed a very solid rapport with Athletics Director Alison Cone in the short time we have been communicating," Stevenson added. "What with the great volleyball culture that exists on the Central Coast, I know that we will put an exciting brand of volleyball out for the community to rally around."
Stevenson's 2004 squad posted a 4-1 record against Pacific-10 Conference teams, including two victories over eventual national champion Stanford.
Stevenson coached two seasons at Sonoma State prior to his stint at Saint Mary's and posted a 7-21 mark in his first season, improving to a 22-11 record in 2001 and a top-10 ranking in the Pacific Region of NCAA Division II.
The native of Manhattan Beach has served as a volunteer assistant for the USA Men's National Team (2004), head coach of the UC San Diego men's team (1998-99) and served as a assistant coach with the University of Wyoming's women's team. He currently serves on the staff of "GM2", a volleyball coaching clinic headed by U.S. Men's National Coach, Dr. Doug Beal.
His local ties to the Central Coast include serving as head coach of the San Luis Obispo Players 17-and-under boys club team (2003), which eventually was renamed Midcoast Volleyball. He also founded and served as director of the Santa Barbara Youth Volleyball Club.
Prior to coaching at the collegiate level, Stevenson joined the Association of Volleyball Professionals in 1981 and played on the Professional Beach Volleyball tour from 1980-96. During his 16 years on the tour, Stevenson won the 1984 Tour Grand Prix Championship and was named "Sportsman of the Year" in 1985. He recorded a career-best six tournament wins in 1988.
Stevenson was inducted into the California Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame and the Professional Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1996, and the NIKE "Legends of Beach Volleyball" in 1997.
As a professional volleyball player, Stevenson is a founding member of the AVP and served on the Board of Directors from 1984 until 1995. He was elected Player President in 1989 and served six consecutive terms before his promotion to Senior Vice President in 1995 following his retirement from the tour. Stevenson also served as the interim Executive Director in 1995 and has served as a commentator during several AVP broadcasts.
Stevenson coached in the A-1 division of the Italian professional indoor league in 1985-86
Stevenson attended Mira Costa High, where he lettered in both baseball and basketball. Stevenson also played one year of basketball at BYU and played basketball before transferring to and graduating from UC Santa Barbara in 1980 with a degree in psychology.
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Jon Stevenson
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Volleyball Head Coach
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805-756-2850
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2002-2005 St. Marys College, Head Coach Women's Volleyball
Jon Stevenson, who was hired on March 1, 2002 becomes the seventh head coach in 23 years of the Saint Mary's College women's volleyball program. Stevenson brings a wealth of experience to Saint Mary's, both as a coach and player.
Stevenson comes to Saint Mary's from Sonoma State University where he was the woman's volleyball head coach for two seasons. In his first season in 1999, Stevenson's program finished 7-21. In his second season he guided the Cossacks to a 22-11 campaign in 2000 and a top-10 Division II, Pacific Region ranking. Prior to his tenure at Sonoma State, Stevenson was an assistant coach for the women's volleyball team at the University of Wyoming in 1999 and 2000. He was the head coach of the men's volleyball team at the University of California at San Diego from 1998-99 and was an assistant coach for the men's volleyball team at UC Santa Barbara in 1986-87. He served as an assistant coach at Santa Barbara City College for one year and was a player/coach in the A-1 Division of the Italian professional indoor league in 1985-86. He also coached Mike Dodd and Mike Whitmarch to Silver medals in the 1996 Olympics, while coaching fellow Olympians Barbra Fontana and Linda Hanley on the women's side.
"Jon is a terrific addition to our coaching staff," commented Director of Athletics Carl R. Clapp. "Jon's background includes a significant amount of coaching experience and it is obvious he has a passion for the sport of volleyball. We're fortunate to hire Jon, and we look forward to working with him to bring our volleyball program to prominence in the West Coast Conference."
2000-2002 Sonoma State University, Women's Volleyball Head Coach
Jon is presently an assistant coach with the women's volleyball team
at the
University of Wyoming
and pursuing a graduate degree
in Physical and
Health education and Athletic Administration
Head Coach, UC San Diego Men's Volleyball
Senior Vice President, Tour Administration and
President AVP Properties
Jon Stevenson began his professional playing career in beach volleyball
when he and lifelong friend Mike Dodd came from an unseeded position
to reach the finals of the 1980 World Championships at Redondo Beach.
Over the next 12 years, Mr. Stevenson would establish himself as
one of the sport's greatest players and leader of the group
that would become the Association of Volleyball Professionals.
A psychology and religious studies honors student who attended both
Brigham Young University and UC Santa Barbara, Mr. Stevenson
was a founding member of the AVP who served on the Board of Directors
from the inception in 1984 until 1995.
Elected Player President in 1989, Mr. Stevenson served six consecutive
terms before being promoted to Senior Vice President in 1995.
Stevenson retired from play in 1992 to serve the AVP in a full-time
capacity and also to serve as the interim Executive Director in 1995.
He has been the one constant link between the players association
and the business operations of the AVP.
During his tenure, Stevenson has helped pay out more than $25 million
in prize money to the AVP players.
During his playing career, Mr. Stevenson amassed 23 Open wins and
was named AVP Defensive Player of the Year in both 1988 and 1989.
Mr. Stevenson is the author of beach volleyball's only
instructional book, "Hot Sand", and served as the technical
advisor and script consultant for the 1990 Tri-Star Pictures
release "Side Out".
He has also served as the color commentator on several AVP broadcasts.
Mr. Stevenson posseses an impressive coaching resume, having
instructed players on the junior collegiate Division I and
professional levels.
In 1996, Mr. Stevenson was inducted into both the California Beach
Volleyball and the Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame in Clearwater, Florida.
Currently the Senior VP, Tour Operations, Mr. Stevenson is responsible
for all player administrative efforts as well as coordinating
the AVP Qualifier Tour, drug testing program, youth developement program
and special projects.
Jon Stevenson Nickname: Jonny the Steve Birthdate: 8/15/57 Hometown: Manhattan Beach, CA Training Site: Marine Street, Manhattan Beach, CA Height/Weight: 6'0"/185 Years Pro: 1980-1995 College: UCSB, Psychology Career Prize Money: $297,226 Career Open Wins: 23
Played basketball at BYU before transferring to UCSB, where he was honored on the Dean's List three times.
Two-time All-American at UCSB.
Completed first full year on tour in 1980.
Won first professional tournament in 1981 at Lake Tahoe, CA with John Hanley.
Won 1984 Tour Gran Prix Championship.
Was named "Sportsman of the Year" in 1985.
Named Miller Lite Defensive Player of the Year, 1988 & 1989.
In 1988, Stevenson captured a career-best six tournament wins, and $110,000 in prize money (with Pat Powers).
Elected President of the AVP Board of Directors for 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995.
Long regarded as "pound for pound, the best beach player in the world," Jon Stevenson was considered one of the games elite at any height. While beach pro is considered a big man's game, Stevenson's determination and strict training regimen (not to mention his 38 inch vertical leap) placed him among the sport's all-time greats. Has served as contributing editor to Volleyball Monthly Magazine. Co-authored a technical and informative book on beach volleyball entitled "Hot Sand". Tri-Star Pictures selected Jon as the technical director for the motion picture "Side Out!" Stevenson starred as a prep at Mira Costa High in Manhattan Beach in both baseball and basketball and played one year of hoops at Brigham Young University before transferring to UCSB. Jon spent one year in the Italian indoor leagues and claims to have first played volleyball in Mike Dodd's back yard at the age of 11.
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