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Fran Vandermeer Hired To Lead Smith Volleyball Program
NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--Smith College Director of Athletics and
Recreation Lynn Oberbillig announced today the hiring of veteran
head coach Fran Vandermeer as the next pilot of the Pioneers'
volleyball program.
Vandermeer brings 15 years of collegiate coaching experience, most
recently having coached at Eastern Connecticut State University in
2010. Prior to that, she was the head coach at Williams
College from 2000 to 2009, compiling a 254-73 (.777) record,
including a 36 win season in 2002. The Ephs won the New
England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) six times, from
2001-04 and again in 2007 and 2008. Twice the NESCAC Coach of
the Year, Vandermeer took the Ephs to the NCAA tournament six
times, including trips to the Elite Eight in 2002, 2003, 2004, and
2008, and another trip to the Sweet 16 in 2001.
"We're extremely excited to have Fran on board," said
Oberbillig. "Her level of expertise within the sport of
volleyball is a perfect fit for our program."
Vandermeer has coached 17 American Volleyball Coaches Association
(AVCA) All-Americans and 23 AVCA All-Region players. The 1988
graduate of Southern Connecticut State University also has
extensive experience officiating the sport of volleyball,
refereeing the NCAA Division II National Championship finals from
1995-2002 and the NCAA Division I National Championship Regional
Finals in 1995-96. She also served as the officiating
assignor for the state of Connecticut, assigning officials for high
school and collegiate matches.
Before taking over at Williams, Vandermeer was the coach at
Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., from 1996-2000, and at St.
Joseph's College (Conn.) from 1995-96. Vandermeer holds an
overall career record of 353-165 (.681). She served on the
NCAA Volleyball Rules Committee from 2006-09 and the NCAA New
England Regional Volleyball comittee from 2000-02.
