Jen Hickey Named Franciscan Women's Volleyball Head Coach

4/11/2024 11:30:00 AM

By: Mitch Morelli

Steubenville, Ohio - The Franciscan Athletic Department is proud to announce that Jen Hickey has been named as the Head Women's Volleyball Coach. She will become the fourth Head Coach since the NCAA Division III program began in 2007.

Coach Hickey can be reached at jhickey@franciscan.edu.

"I am thrilled to welcome Jen Hickey home to Franciscan to lead our Women's Volleyball program to the next level," said Director of Athletics Danny Andersen. "Not only does she bring an impressive record of leadership, competitive success, and passion for the sport over nearly 20 years of coaching, but as a Franciscan alum who has remained close to the university since graduation, she is intimately familiar with and committed to the culture that we are building in the Athletic Department. Jen's talent, skill, and initiative will add tremendous value as we form disciples, develop leaders, and pursue excellence in our program."

I am so excited and honored to be named Head Coach of the Franciscan Women's Volleyball. Having graduated from Franciscan University, I have a unique understanding that we are a part of something special here. This gives me a leadership opportunity to help inspire and motivate these student athletes both on and off the court. Through coaching, I hope to help them develop their skills, confidence, teamwork abilities, and sportsmanship all while we grow together in our faith life. After my faith and my family, volleyball has been a passion of mine. Being named head coach allows me to pursue this passion in a meaningful way. I have the opportunity to immerse myself in the sport I love while also sharing this knowledge and enthusiasm with these amazing athletes. We will embrace and promote the ideas put before us by the university, encountering Christ, sharing community through the fellowship and friendship of what it means to be a team and always striving to be better through constant conversion.
-- Head Coach Jen Hickey

Hickey '96 graduated from Franciscan with a degree in Elementary Education. She has been coaching volleyball for the last 20 years at the grade school and club levels in northern Ohio. Most recently, she has coached with the Southwest Volleyball Club. There she was a Head Coach since 2019. Before her time in club coaching, she coached at St. Brendan Catholic School in North Olmsted, Ohio. Hickey also coached the Franciscan club team in the late 90s before they transitioned into an NCAA program.

She met her husband Bob Hickey at Franciscan and they have eight children, including two graduates of Franciscan, two current Franciscan students, two fall 2024 incoming freshman, and two who will attend in the near future.

"As I begin this journey, I want to create a strong, winning culture and a competitive program. Our team will strive for excellence not only as volleyball players but also in the classroom and as Catholic young women. I am familiar with our current roster and the talent that we have coming into the program which makes me optimistic and excited about the heights that we can reach in competition and in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC). I cannot wait for the season to start and to see all of our incredible fans cheering us on in the stands!"

The Barons 2024 schedule is set to be released in the summer, as they look to build off of their 13-12 record in 2023.

Volleyball Summer Camps
Franciscan Women's Volleyball is excited to offer Baron summer camps for aspiring middle school and high school athletes. These day camps will run from Monday, July 8th-Wednesday, July 10th, 2024. Participants will have the opportunity to receive training from the women's volleyball coaching staff, as well as interact with current players. All participating athletes will receive a Franciscan volleyball T-shirt. For more information and the link to register - click here

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