LAKEWOOD, N.J. (Nov. 9, 2022) – Georgian Court University Head Volleyball Coach Daniel Sempkowski will be stepping down, effective immediately, in an effort to more comprehensively focus on the entire athletic department in his role as Director of Athletics.

Sempkowski has been serving both roles since January, 2022. First as the interim Director of Athletics, then hired to be the full time Director of Athletics in June of 2022.

"With my now undivided attention, I am looking forward to focusing on the department as a whole," said Sempkowski. "Enhancing the student-athlete experience at Georgian Court University is a top priority and we are looking at new and creative ways to achieve that goal. I am excited about the potential growth this department has in store with Acrobatics and Tumbling set to begin this next academic year and other projects on the horizon."
 
Sempkowski steps down as the head volleyball coach after an 11-year tenure which saw him become the winningest coach in program history. In his final season, Sempkowski picked up career win number 200 and finishes with a career record of 201-143 overall and 137-56 in the CACC. He finished with a winning record in eight of 11 seasons and had a winning record in 10 of 11 conference seasons.
 
"I'm not sure if there ever is a perfect time to step down, but it is extremely bittersweet at this moment after not having the kind of season this program is accustomed to," Sempkowski stated.  I have full confidence this program has the support to remain among the elite programs in the conference."
 
Under Sempkowski's direction, the Lions won three CACC regular season championships and two tournament championships, including both in 2019. They made the CACC postseason in each of his first 10 seasons and qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2013 and 2019.
 
Many of the individuals Sempkowski coached earned accolades for their outstanding play. He coached 23 All-CACC selections including 11 on the First Team, seven on the Second Team and five on the Third Team. He also saw Kinsy Haschke named the CACC Player of the Year in 2021 and coached seven All-East Region selections.
 
Sempkowski's teams have also performed well in the classroom earning five straight American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Awards and his Lions have regularly been among the top NCAA Volleyball programs in service hours.  
 
Reflecting on his time as coach, Sempkowski said, "I would truly like to thank all of the student athletes that I have coached at Georgian Court for all of the effort, focus, and dedication they have given to this program. The success of the program is attributed to them and all the time and effort they have devoted to it." Sempkowski continued, "What I will miss most is the opportunity for my kids to grow up around my team. I am fortunate that my children have spent time around these model student-athletes and the impact they have had on my family cannot be measured."
 
Starting immediately, Sempkowski will continue in his role as Director of Athletics which includes a national search for the Lions next head volleyball coach. During this time, Assistant Coach Shana Rayside will be managing recruitment for the volleyball program. All volleyball recruitment inquiries can be made to her at srayside@georgian.edu.