St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Extends Contract of Joanne Persico
1/6/2023 10:25:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Red Storm Head Volleyball Coach receives multi-year extension
QUEENS, N.Y. (JAN. 6, 2023) – After the 12th 20-win season in program history, and the second NIVC Appearance, Head Coach Joanne Persico received a contract extension that will keep the two-time BIG EAST Coach of the Year at the helm of the program for multiple seasons to come.
"We are thrilled to have Joanne Persico lead the St. John's women's volleyball program for years to come," said Director of Athletics Mike Cragg. "Coach Persico has been a great coach and mentor to our student-athletes, as well as a wonderful representative of our University. Her teams at St. John's have enjoyed much success on and off the court. We thank Coach Persico for all her contributions to St. John's Athletics."
In 2022, Persico guided her squad to her 12th 20-win season (20-14), and first victory in an NIVC postseason match. The team finished the regular season fourth in the league, and earned its fourth BIG East Tournament bid in the last five years. Under the tutelage of Persico, Rachele Rastelli and Giorgia Walther earned unanimous selections to the All-BIG EAST Team. The duo also was named to the East Coach All-Region team with Walther earning Honorable Mention, and Rastelli being named to the First Team.
As the architect and leader of the St. John's volleyball team since its inception in 1994, coach Persico has enjoyed an illustrious career. Her 545 career wins is the most by any female coach all-time at St. John's. She has the most wins among active BIG EAST coaches, and is the all-time winningest coach at a single BIG EAST program. Among active Division I coaches, Persico ranks 23rd in wins. Persico also takes pride in her team academically with 18 AVCA Team Academic Awards, and her team's GPA has not dropped below 3.0 during her tenure at St. John's.
Coach Persico has guided four players to being crowned the BIG EAST Player of the Year, with the most recent honoree, Rastelli in 2021. In total Persico has led 44 players to All-BIG EAST selections, 16 AVCA Honorable Mention All-Americans, 16 AVCA All-Region Selections, and 14 have played professionally after St. John's. She has also guided her team to three NCAA Tournament Appearances including a 2007 trip to the Sweet 16, and two BIG EAST Tournament Titles in 2007 and 2019, as well as three regular season conference titles.
