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VanLoy returns to DSU as assistant volleyball and softball coach
June 15, 2011
MADISON, S.D. - Dakota State University Athletic Director Gene Wockenfuss is proud to announce the hiring of Jessica VanLoy as DSU's volleyball and softball assistant coach.
"I am very excited about being chosen as the assistant volleyball and softball coach here at Dakota State University," said VanLoy. "I had a very good experience when I attended DSU which made my decision easy when it came to apply for the position. I would like to thank DSU for the opportunity to come back as a coach and I look forward to the challenges each sport will bring!"
VanLoy returns to Dakota State after two seasons as a graduate assistant softball coach and housing director/assistant at Iowa Lakes Community College. "Any time you can bring back a former student-athlete to the university to coach, they bring with them something very special," said Wockenfuss. "Jessica has the personality and connection to DSU to be a very effective recruiter for both the softball and volleyball programs. She will also bring a very competitive nature about her that I'm confident will be instilled in the student-athletes that she will coach."
While at Iowa Lakes, the team captured a third-place finish at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) in 2010. VanLoy received her master's degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in Higher Education from Iowa State University last May.
"I am very excited about bringing Jessica back to Dakota State and our softball program," stated Trojan softball head coach Ken Prorok. "Having known her for the better part of the last decade, I have no doubt that she will be a great asset to our program. During the past two seasons, she had the opportunity to serve as a graduate assistant for two different coaches at Iowa Lakes. She will bring a wealth of knowledge with her. Jessica will primarily be in charge of our outfielders, while assisting with our hitters and serving as our assistant recruiting coordinator. She brings great passion for not only the game, but also for the university."
VanLoy, a native of Wabasso, Minn., had a stellar collegiate career at Dakota State in women's basketball and softball. She helped the Lady T's to three consecutive Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC) regular season basketball titles from 2006 to 2008. She was a member of the team that went to the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Tournament three straight times. While at DSU, VanLoy was a three-time NAIA All-American in basketball, three-time All-Conference in basketball and an All-Conference selection in softball.
After receiving her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science at Dakota State in 2008, VanLoy went to Hastings College as a graduate assistant women's basketball coach for one year.
VanLoy will also serve as the head junior varsity coach for the Trojan volleyball program, starting this fall.
"I am really excited about Coach VanLoy joining our program," said DSU head volleyball coach Amy Veenhof. "I feel that she is going to be a huge asset to the volleyball and the softball programs at Dakota State University."
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
