Penn State Behrend Athletics Adds Men's Volleyball as Twenty-Second Sport

On Monday, Director of Athletics Brian Streeter announced the addition of men's volleyball as Penn State Behrend's twenty-second varsity sport for the 2011-12 year.

"We have maintained a club program for over 25 years and know now is the time to take our club program to the varsity level," said Streeter.  This past season more than 50 NCAA Division III schools sponsored men's volleyball at the intercollegiate varsity level. The inaugural men's NCAA Division III National Championship is tentatively scheduled for the 2012 season.  "Our current women's coach Phil Pisano will add to his resume the position of Head Men's Volleyball coach at Penn State Behrend," continued Streeter.  "I have all the confidence in his ability to grow and develop a very competitive program here at Penn State Behrend.  Coach Pisano has proven to be an excellent coach and recruiter and is excited about the opportunity to add men's volleyball on the campus of Penn State Behrend."

Phil Pisano, who recently completed his sixth season as the Head Coach of the Behrend women's team has been appointed the coach of the men's program. "This is an exciting day for Penn State Behrend athletics.  Men's volleyball will now have the opportunity to join the other highly successful teams here at Behrend, and the addition of the program will help to continue to grow the sport on the men's side," stated Pisano. "I'm excited for the challenge of getting this group to be competitive and successful as quickly as possible.  Much appreciation and credit should be given to Dr. Burke and Brian Streeter for deciding to give this sport and many student-athletes such a great opportunity."

Since Pisano's arrival, the Behrend Lions are 137-59 overall with a stellar 50-5 mark in the AMCC. During that time, 12 career or single-season records have been set as the blue and white have earned 23 selections to the all-conference team and 26 academic all-conference honors.  Pisano has also been named AMCC Coach of the Year in 2005, 2006, and 2008.

This past fall, Pisano led the women's program to a 22-11 finish as Behrend fell to Frostburg State in the AMCC finals. Behrend then earned the program's third invitation to the ECAC Tournament.  "Men's volleyball should be a draw for boys' volleyball players from District 10 and the Pittsburgh area immediately," continued Pisano. "There are also many good players in central and eastern Pennsylvania, and hopefully we will be able to attract some student-athletes from New York as well.  Graduating with a Penn State degree while having the opportunity to compete as a varsity athlete should be a highly attractive opportunity for many high school players looking to continue their careers."

Pisano served at Slippery Rock as an assistant to the women's volleyball coach from 1998-2003. He was also the coach and president of the SRU men's volleyball club team for three years while earning his undergraduate degree in marketing from the Rock. He currently serves on the AVCA Division III Head Coaches Committee and has previously served on the NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Volleyball Regional Advisory Committee.  He continues to participate in a variety of volleyball camps and clinics throughout the year.

Men's volleyball will join baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and water polo as one of 11 men's Behrend Lions sports. In addition the blue and white compete in 11 women's sports in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, softball, volleyball, and water polo.

Please visit the new athletics web site at psblions.com for more information on Behrend Lions sports.