Saint Joseph's College announced today that John Razsa was named head women's volleyball coach. He replaces Jenn Leighton who resigned to pursue other interests.

Razsa, a former SJC volleyball coach from 1992 through the 1997 season, returns to Standish with a wealth of volleyball experience and currently directs Portland North, Southern Maine's Junior Olympic volleyball program.

During his time at St. Joe's, Razsa compiled a 106-90 record, was named the Maine Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1995 after leading St. Joseph's to a school record 27-10 mark, and guided the Monks to the MAC championship and the NAIA regional tournament in Pittsburgh in 1996 and 1997. He was also named the MAC Coach of the Year in 1996 and 1997, and the State of Maine Intercollegiate Volleyball Coach of the Year in '96 and '97.

In addition to his stint at St. Joe's, Razsa served as head coach at Southern Maine from 2003-2005 and was selected by his peers as the 2003 Coach of the Year in the Little East Conference and led the USM Huskies to a 19-12 overall record that year.

Razsa also won multiple Maine State Volleyball Association Championships leading the boy's and girl's teams at Gray-New Gloucester High School in the late 80's and mid 90's.

"We are very pleased to have Coach Razsa join our staff. His years of experience and his involvement with volleyball throughout the state of Maine will greatly enhance our staff and the student-athletes' experience," said Brian Curtin, Director of Athletics at Saint Joseph's College. "John is a leader who can help our volleyball program take another positive step."

A 1982 graduate of USM with a B.S. in Education, Razsa holds coaching Level I and II certifications from the United States Volleyball Association (USVA) and has taught in the Lisbon (Maine) school system.

Saint Joseph's College athletic department sponsors 14 NCAA Division III teams and is entering its first year as a full member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference.