University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Jason Kepner Joins Pittsburgh Volleyball Staff
4/24/2002 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Jason Kepner Joins Pittsburgh Volleyball Staff
4/24/2002
PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh head volleyball coach Chris Beerman has appointed Jason Kepner, a former All-American at Penn State, as an assistant coach for the Panthers.
"I am very fortunate to add Jason to our coaching staff," said Beerman. "His background as an All-American collegiate player at Penn State and his international professional experiences, along with his encouraging personality, incredible work ethic and competitiveness, make him an ideal addition to the Pittsburgh volleyball program.
"Jason has tremendous collegiate coaching potential and we are lucky to have him begin his career as a Panther. I believe Jason, along with Salima (Davidson), give Pittsburgh one of the best assistant coaching staffs in the country. Jason is exactly what Pittsburgh volleyball is about and I very much look forward to working with him as we prepare for the 2002 season."
Kepner's responsibilities include serving as Pittsburgh's in-house recruiting coordinator and academic and compliance liaison. He will also oversee game day management and assist with the Panthers' camps and on-court training.
Kepner comes to Pittsburgh following one season (2001) as an assistant coach at Nicholls State. There, he was responsible for assisting with the planning and organizing of all phases of the volleyball program, including recruiting, practice and match preparation as well as monitoring student-athletes' academics.
Prior to Nicholls State, Kepner served as the head coach of the Club Vegas Girls 18's from 2000-01 and the Las Vegas Volleyball Club Coach Boys 18's from 1998-2000. From 1998-99, Kepner was an assistant coach for the Waihini Volleyball Club Girls 18's.
Kepner enjoyed an outstanding playing career as an outside hitter at Penn State (1993-97), where he earned AVCA and Volleyball Magazine All-America (second team) honors as a senior in 1997. A member of the 1994 National Championship team, Kepner is the Nittany Lions' all-time leader with 88 career service aces. He also ranks eighth in kills (1,249), fourth in attempts (2,443), fourth in digs (693) and seventh in solo blocks (45).
In addition, Kepner boasts a wealth of international playing experience. Following his collegiate career, he played professionally in Holland (1997-98) and Spain (1999-2000) and was a member of the USA National B Team that competed in the 1997 World University Games in Sicily. Kepner was also a member of the USA Junior National Team in 1991 and was a first team All-American and Silver Division MVP as a member of the 1995 USA Open Nationals Team Reston.
Kepner is a 1997 graduate of Penn State with a bachelor's degree in administration of justice.
