PELLA — Jeanne Czipri, who piloted Dominican University (Ill.) to a pair of NCAA Division III tournament berths, is the new volleyball coach at Central College.

Czipri (ZIP-ree) spent three seasons at Dominican, compiling a 61-43 mark with two Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference tournament titles. The Stars advanced to NCAA tourney play in 2014 and 2015 before finishing third in their league last fall and posting a 12-21 overall record. Her squad was 29-4 in conference play over three seasons. Dominican players earned 15 all-conference awards, including 10 first-team selections.

Czipri replaces Kent Clayberg, who left the highly regarded Dutch program in January after 19 seasons, including 15 as head coach.

"Jeanne has a very impressive background," athletics director Eric Van Kley said. "She has playing experience at the Division I level, tremendous knowledge of the game, is high energy and very relationship-oriented."

She's an ideal fit for Central, Van Kley said.

"Jeanne brings a tremendous understanding of who we are and what we're about," he said. "She understands how to build a nationally competitive program and, at the same time, make it possible to impact every student-athlete we serve."

Leaving Dominican was a difficult decision, Czipri said.

"There's a lot I love about Dominican," she said. "But the second I stepped foot on Central's campus, I was so impressed. I love the family atmosphere and the culture. The school really believes in its athletics program and it has great resources to help the program be successful. I'm excited to get started."

Czipri said she's developed strong connections with the Central staff.

"I want to say thank you to Eric Van Kley and (senior associate athletics director) Alicia O'Brien for being so unbelievably welcoming in this transition," she said.
Czipri inherits a traditional contender. The Dutch have captured three NCAA Division III championships (1998, 1999, 2000) and have made 11 NCAA tournament appearances with 17 Iowa Conference championships, winning 12 in a row from 1996-2007. Czipri said she has great respect for that tradition.

"Obviously Central has a history of success," she said. "The team has won championships before so we know it can be done again. I'm excited to get Central back to that level."

While Czipri competed at the University of New Hampshire, she likes coaching at the Division III level.

"I really believe in the Division III philosophy and that student-athletes can get opportunities to study abroad or get a double major," she said. "They get more room to explore academically. But I love that Division III athletics can also be as competitive and passionate as any other level."

After graduating from New Hampshire, Czipri earned a master's degree from Aurora University (Ill.). She became a club and high school coach, most recently with the Team One Volleyball Club in Aurora, Illinois. She served as head coach at Aurora Central Catholic High School from 2009-13 before taking over at Dominican, winning Kane County Chronicle coach of the year honors in 2009. Her squad twice set program victory records and won back-to-back Suburban Christian Conference titles, also program firsts.

An unselfish, team-first attitude is a key to building a successful program, Czipri said.

"You've got to get everyone in the boat and everyone's got to be rowing," she said. "Everyone's got to buy into doing what it takes and doing the work for each other. Every day you need to ask, what are you doing for your teammates?"

Off-season work is critical and Czipri sees great potential for that at Central.

"I love that the school has such a tremendous strength and conditioning program," she said. "That's really important."
Czipri, a Chicago-area native who is engaged to be married next year, thanked her fiancée for his support in making the move.

"I also want to thank the Dominican players, they mean the world to me," Czipri said. "And I want to thank (Dominican athletics director) Erick Baumann for the opportunity to get my feet wet in college coaching."

Van Kley said the nearly three-month search was longer than he preferred.

"But even if it had taken us until August, the most important thing was finding the best coach for our student-athletes and for our program," he said. "I really believe we've found that person in Jeanne. We are tremendously excited. She has the vision and commitment to make things happen for the next chapter of Central volleyball."