Ithaca College Athletics

Janet Donovan has served as Ithaca's head coach since 1992. Her list of achievements includes a 503-176 record and 11 trips to the NCAA playoffs. She ranks as Ithaca’ winningest volleyball coach. Donovan reached a career milestone in 2008, winning her 500th match at Ithaca as the Bombers defeated Nazareth in the NYSWCAA Tournament.

Hired in 1992, Donovan posted the highest first-year win total (37) by any Ithaca volleyball coach and led the Bombers to an ECAC championship. The following season saw Ithaca start a nine-year streak of NCAA playoff appearances. In 1994 Donovan led the team to a school-record 53 wins and the program’s first berth in the NCAA semifinals. The Bombers were back in the semifinals the following year and made their fourth straight trip to the NCAA tournament in 1996. In 1997 and 1998 Ithaca reached the New York regional title match. In 1999 the team reached the quarterfinals, and were again in the regional title match in 2000 and 2001. The Bombers have also made NCAA playoff appearances in 2004 and 2005.

Donovan was named AVCA New York Region and Empire Athletic Association Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1994. In 1999 she again earned the honor of AVCA region coach of the year. In 1994 she was the Ithaca Journal’s choice as female coach of the year. During her career at Ithaca, 12 players have earned a total of 20 all-America honors. In addition, five Bombers have been named academic all-Americans in that span.

A 1987 graduate of Cortland, Donovan was a varsity letter winner on a team that made NCAA regional appearances from 1985 to 1987. She was also the Red Dragons’ team captain in 1987. After scholastic volleyball coaching stints at Tully High School and Lyons Central High School, Donovan took over as coach at Keuka College in 1990. She led the Warriors to a 24-14 mark and a state tournament berth. As a graduate assistant volleyball coach at Humboldt State University in 1991, Donovan helped the Division II Lumberjacks to a 24-10 record and third place in the Northern California Athletic Conference. The non-scholarship institution ended its season ranked 21st in the nation.

In addition to her volleyball duties, Donovan is an instructor in the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance. She spent four years as an assistant coach with the Ithaca women’s lacrosse team and five years as an assistant track and field coach. She and her husband, Bill, have two children, Will and Kaci.