Bonner Named New YSU Volleyball Head Coach

Feb. 4, 2005

Joe Bonner, an assistant coach at the University of Dayton for the last two seasons, has been named Head Coach of the Youngstown State University volleyball program, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ron Strollo announced on Friday. Bonner replaces Joe Conroy, who accepted a position at Youngstown State University's Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center.


"Coach Bonner has a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm for the game of volleyball and we are pleased to welcome him to the YSU family," Strollo said. "He has earned a solid recruiting track record in western Pennsylvania, Ohio and the Chicago-area; and his recent NCAA Volleyball Tournament appearances match our desire to re-create a successful volleyball program."


Bonner helped the Flyers to a two-year mark of 49-16, including a 23-9 overall ledger in 2004, and two straight trips to the NCAA Tournament. Last season, the Flyers also won their second straight Atlantic-10 regular season championship with a 12-2 conference mark record. While at Dayton, Bonner worked primarily with the middle hitters and blockers. In addition to his on-court duties, Bonner was responsible for team travel, game operations and assisting with recruiting.


"This is a great opportunity for me and my family to become the volleyball head coach at Youngstown State University," Bonner said. "YSU plays in a challenging and reputable volleyball league and I believe the tools are in place at YSU to build towards and win a Horizon League championship."


"I want to thank (Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics) Ron Strollo and (Associate Athletics Director) Elaine Jacobs for giving me my first opportunity as a head coach," Bonner added. "The YSU volleyball program receives an incredible amount of support from the athletic administration and that is vital to achieving our goal of winning championships."


Prior to Dayton, Bonner, who has been to five straight NCAA Tournaments, spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Robert Morris (2000-2002) and helped the Colonials to three consecutive Northeast Conference titles and three straight NCAA Tournaments. While at RMU, Bonner was responsible for the development of the middle hitters. Under his guidance, four middle hitters received all-conference honors and one earned NEC Player of the Year for two consecutive years. He also was the travel and recruiting coordinator and served as the team's strength and conditioning coach.


Bonner also has four years of collegiate club volleyball experience. A 1997 graduate of Frostburg State University, Bonner's club team made two national tournament appearances, as well as three years of USAV.


A native of Huntingtown, Md., Bonner received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Frostburg State.