The Bard College Department of Athletics and Recreation has hired Tyler Zowaski as Head Men's Volleyball Coach, it was announced Tuesday.

Zowaski, a former member of the team at Bard and a captain in his junior and senior seasons, returns to Annandale after spending two years as the top assistant coach at Vassar College.

"I'm really pleased to be able to welcome Tyler back into our athletic department as our newest head coach," said Stefanie Carrington, Bard's Associate Athletic Director and Zowaski's head coach at Bard in 2015 and 2016. "He's got a deep passion for Bard and a strong desire to elevate our men's volleyball program to new heights. He knows, first hand, what a special place Bard is and he made it very clear during the interview process that he wants to help provide the same sort of positive experience he had during his time here to our current and future student athletes."

Zowaski, who arrived at Bard in the fall of 2014 and played four seasons with the team, is tied at No. 2 on Bard's all-time digs list.

"Bard lines up seamlessly with my personal and professional goals," Zowaski said. "Coming back to Bard, I see the vision from the other coaches, administrators, and from Athletic Director David Lindholm and Associate A.D. Stefanie Carrington to develop a great experience for student-athletes, students and all members of the Bard community." 

Zowaski will oversee Bard's transition from the United Volleyball Conference to the New England Collegiate Conference. Bard joins the NECC in 2023.

"Tyler's experience at both Bard and Vassar has prepared him well to take on this role," Lindholm said. "I'm thrilled to start working with Tyler and excited to see what the future holds for him and for the Bard men's volleyball program."

Bard opens the 2023 season with a tri-match at home on Jan. 21 against Drew and Emmanuel.

"The current players have expressed a commitment to each other and to make this program better, which I am excited to see grow," Zowaski said. "Short-term, I plan to guide this team into the NECC and provide them with the tools to have a successful 2023 season.

"Long-term," he continued, "my goal is to bring volleyball players from different backgrounds together to compete, better themselves, and to connect people, families and communities."