APPLETON, Wis. -- Jeff Van Lannen is the new leader of the Lawrence University volleyball program, Director of Athletics Jason Imperati announced today.
    A prominent name in Midwest volleyball, Van Lannen comes to Lawrence as its new head coach after serving as the technical specialist on the University of Wisconsin coaching staff. 
    "I have a myriad of experiences in the sport, but as a first-year head coach of a collegiate program I will be leaning heavily on colleagues that I hold in very high regard for counsel," Van Lannen said. "Whether it's recruiting, training or leadership, I'm very fortunate to have a long list of strong volleyball professionals that I can reach out to."
    Van Lannen was part of head coach Kelly Sheffield's Wisconsin staff that led the Badgers to a 30-4 mark and a berth in the NCAA Division I Final Four in fall 2023.
    "We are excited to announce Jeff will be joining our department as the new women's volleyball coach," Imperati said. "Jeff brings a wealth of coaching experience and knowledge that will elevate our program within the Midwest Conference. He has a strong commitment to academics, a solid recruiting base and loves to compete. We are lucky to have him, and we are all excited for the future."
    Van Lannen takes over a program that showed improvement in 2023 to win four more matches than it had the previous season. Van Lannen said he knows how he wants to improve the Lawrence program.
    "In a word, training," Van Lannen said. "Whatever the goals are for the program, we must be intently driven to provide high-level training for our athletes. It's what they deserve and what we will provide."
    Van Lannen brings a record of championship experience to Lawrence. He spent eight years as an associate director and coach at Fox Cities Elite Volleyball Club in Appleton. In his final three seasons, Van Lannen's teams earned top-three finishes at the USA Volleyball National Championships. Included in that was a 2022 national title by his FC Elite 16 Navy team.
    A native of Pulaski, Wis., and graduate of Pulaski High School, Van Lannen spent a quarter-century working in public education, including his final 13 years as a principal or associate principal. He also spent 10 seasons coaching prep volleyball in Wisconsin, nine seasons at Kimberly High School and one at Kaukauna High School, and piled up more than 300 victories. Van Lannen also was recognized in 2023 with the American Volleyball Coaches Association Networks Award, which recognizes coaches who have demonstrated heroic and/or selfless acts while showing leadership at the club, region, community and beyond.
    A 1997 graduate of UW-Stevens Point with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education/fitness, Van Lannen earned a master's degree in education leadership and administration from UW-Oshkosh in 2003. 
    Van Lannen said his aspirations for the program are simple, "To win championships. That's the goal of every athletic program, and we won't be any different."
    Van Lannen replaces Meg Grose, who returned to her home state of New Mexico to take over the NCAA Division II program at New Mexico Highlands University.