Courtesy: Bill Gorman, Wentworth sports information
BOSTON, MA...Wentworth Institute of Technology has appointed New England Division veteran assistant coach Rob Mullowney as head men's volleyball coach by Director of Athletics Lee Conrad. Mullowney takes over the Leopards program, replacing Nam Phan who resigned this spring after two seasons.
"We are extremely happy to introduce Rob as our new men’s volleyball coach,” said Conrad. “His familiarity with the conference, extensive background as both a player and coach, and his strong organizational and communication skills will help Wentworth achieve its goal of fielding a competitive and successful program on the court, on campus, in the classroom, and in the community.”
A native of Torrance, California, Mullowney comes to the Leopards after spending one season as an Assistant Men’s Volleyball Coach at neighboring Newbury College, helping the nationally ranked Nighthawks to a 24-13 record, a berth in the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association Tournament, and a berth in the ECAC Division III Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
During the 2007 season he served as an assistant on the Elms College men’s volleyball staff, helping the Blazers to a 10-14 record – the first time the program had posted 10 or more wins in a season.
Mullowney is entering his third season as the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at the United State Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, where he has amassed a 36-23 record and led his squad to a 14-0 home record in 2008.
Prior to his arrival at Coast Guard he served as a graduate assistant at Smith College for two seasons, helping the Pioneers to a 36-21 record, including the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth, both in 2005.
A 2005 graduate of Haverford College with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Mullowney was a four-year captain of Haverford’s club volleyball team and was the team’s player/coach during his last two years. He also served as an assistant coach with the Haverford women’s volleyball team during his junior and senior years, helping the Fords to a 37-23 record. Mullowney earned a Master’s degree in Exercise and Sport Studies from Smith in 2007.
Wentworth finished the 2009 campaign with a 9-12 record, including a 6-8 mark in the NECVA’s New England Division. The nine wins were the most since the 2005 squad won 12 and the Leopards’ 3.53 blocks per game were the most among Division III men’s volleyball programs. One player, sophomore middle blocker Javier Feliciano (San Juan, Puerto Rico), earned First Team All-NECVA New England Division honors.
“I look forward to working with the talented men on the volleyball team at Wentworth,” said Mullowney. “Through a combination of hard work and practice, I feel the team can reach its goal of qualifying for the NECVA Tournament. I embrace the opportunity to lead a men’s volleyball team in the extremely competitive New England Division of NECVA.”
The Leopards open the 2010 campaign on Saturday, January 16, with a tri-match at Elms College.