ITHACA, N.Y. – Susan Bassett '79, Ithaca College Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, announced today that head volleyball coach Johan Dulfer will be stepping down from his coaching post, effective May 17.
 
"Being the head coach at Ithaca College has been the honor of a lifetime for me," said Dulfer "I'll never forget the successes we celebrated on the court but most importantly, the shared experiences and relationships we created. I feel it is now time to focus on my family and health as I pursue other opportunities."
 
"I believe that the team I'm leaving behind, along with the amazing recruiting class coming in, is primed for unparalleled success in the years to come," added Dulfer. "It fills me with pride to leave the program in a great position for success and I'll be cheering for the Bombers from the sidelines. Avery, Liam, Logan and I will forever be Bombers."

Dulfer elevated the Ithaca volleyball program from a consistent regional power into a true player on the national stage in fairly short order. Under his watch, the Bombers advanced to the NCAA Regional Round Championships in four of the past six seasons, while IC won back-to-back NCAA Regional Championships during the 2017 and 2018 seasons to punch tickets to the NCAA Championships final site. The Bombers made the program's third all-time appearance in the NCAA Final Four during the 2017 season and most recently hosted an NCAA Regional Championship pod during the 2023 season.
 
"It is with mixed emotions that I accept Johan Dulfer's retirement plan, with both deep appreciation for his leadership of Ithaca College women's volleyball for the past eight years, and sadness to see him go," said Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Susan Bassett '79. 
 
"We wish Johan well as he turns to a new chapter in his life. He has transformed our volleyball program into a nationally ranked program and positively impacted our department through his collegial work and collaboration. He has been a highly effective mentor, teacher and coach to the many dozens of women who participated in volleyball at Ithaca College. The program is in a strong position and because of him, the future for IC Volleyball is bright."

In his eight seasons at IC, Dulfer led the program to a 161-58 (.735) record, while he achieved 400 career head coaching wins in the final match of the 2022 regular season. During his time at Ithaca, he led the program to the NCAA Tournament all seven seasons (2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19), while that streak is extended to 14 consecutive seasons dating back to his time as head coach at Clarkson University. His accolades during that stretch included eight of those seasons reaching the regional championship match, six elite-eight's and a final four appearance.
 
Dulfer amassed a streak of 13 consecutive seasons leading teams under his direction to 20-plus wins (2007-2019). Since arriving on South Hill, he guided players to 31 total All-Conference accolades, 19 total AVCA All-Region plaudits, three AVCA All-New York Region Player of the Year awards, and 13 total AVCA All-American recognitions.
 
Prior to becoming the head coach at Ithaca, Dulfer guided Clarkson to seven straight NCAA appearances and four consecutive trips to the Elite Eight during his tenure, and his teams compiled a 270-115 record (.701 winning percentage) in his 10 seasons with the program. The Golden Knights won five Liberty League tournament championships (four straight from 2012-15), and four regular-season league titles during his final years with the program. He was named Liberty League Coach of the Year four times and was named AVCA New York Region Coach of the Year in 2013, 2014, and 2015.  
 
Dulfer began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Division I James Madison University.
 
"For 21 years I've been a collegiate coach and there's truly nothing like it," remarked Dulfer. "I'll never forget the highs (and some of the lows) and the wonderful people I've met along the way. Administrators, assistant coaches, GA's – the support my athletes have received over the years has been amazing."
 
"They say coaching is planting trees in whose shade we may never sit. I'm forever grateful for all the wonderful, dedicated athletes who have graced my programs and will forever be in my heart. Thank you for allowing me to battle by your side."
 
Ithaca College will open a national search for a new head coach of the volleyball program that will begin immediately.