April 13, 2006
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University volleyball coach Jon Wallace has received a contract extension through the 2010 season after leading the Broncos to its first-ever NCAA tournament semifinal appearance and the highest national ranking in school history last season, Director of Athletics Dan Coonan announced today.
"We are absolutely thrilled to have Jon commit to Santa Clara in this manner," said Coonan. "He has done such a phenomenal job with this team and, because of that, he has had no shortage of opportunities to leave for other programs. Jon realizes that we can be as competitive as any program in the country, as he clearly demonstrated this year. Perhaps most importantly, however, the women in our program learn as much about life, personal growth and responsibility as they do about volleyball."
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"After doing some soul-searching about what I want in my life, I really continue to be drawn to the fact that I can mirror our volleyball program's philosophies with those of Santa Clara University."
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Wallace, 39, signed a five-year agreement to remain the Broncos' mentor following a successful 2005 season that saw Santa Clara earn its eighth-straight NCAA Tournament berth and program-best final national ranking of 4th by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. The Broncos defeated six nationally-ranked teams during the season and were victorious over Sacramento State, host Stanford, Pepperdine and Arizona en route to it's first-ever NCAA final four and national television appearance in San Antonio, Texas. For his efforts, Wallace was recognized by Volleyball Magazine as its National Coach of the Year and by the AVCA as the Pacific Region Coach of the Year.
With a 156-58 (.729) overall record, he currently has the highest winning percentage and is just six wins shy of the school record for the most victories in Santa Clara volleyball history. His .796 winning percentage (78-20) against West Coast Conference opponents is the second-highest in league history.
"I'm really thrilled that Santa Clara continues to place confidence in me to lead its volleyball program," said Wallace, who joined Santa Clara in 1999. "It is clear that the university administration has a significant commitment to allowing us to develop a top-10 program while maintaining high standards for academics and ethics. After doing some soul-searching about what I want in my life, I really continue to be drawn to the fact that I can mirror our volleyball program's philosophies with those of Santa Clara University."
A 1989 graduate of UC Santa Barbara, Wallace was a second-team volleyball All-America selection and helped lead the Gauchos to the national championship match in the 1988 NCAA Tournament. He served as a setter for the two-time U.S. Volleyball Association champion Nike squad and played in the popular Bud Light Four-Man Beach Tour. Wallace began his coaching career at Corona del Mar High School and had stops at Orange Coast Community College, Golden West Community College and Pepperdine University before arriving at Santa Clara.
In his seven seasons at Santa Clara, Wallace has guided the Broncos to two West Coast Conference championships and three runner-up finishes. Four Broncos have earned All-America honors during his tenure, including Cassie Perret, who was named Santa Clara's first-ever first-team selection last season. Becky Potter was SCU's first-ever volleyball All-American, earning second-team honors in 2002. SCU players have accounted for 35 all-WCC honors and 11 academic all-conference awards in the last seven seasons.
- - SantaClaraBroncos.com - -
