Kalamazoo College Athletics

The 2018 season marked the 35th volleyball campaign for Kalamazoo College head coach Jeanne Hess, whose tenure at “K” has been a very successful one.

Hess has led the Hornets to five MIAA championships and six NCAA Division III Tournament appearances. Kalamazoo has finished third or higher in the MIAA ten times.

Hess reached a personal milestone Oct. 28, 1997 when the Hornets rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win at Albion. That victory was the 100th career MIAA win for the Hornet mentor and gave her an all-time league mark of 100-68 (.595). 

She earned her 300th career victory in 1998 and 400th on Sept. 6, 2003 against Kenyon. Hess became just the second Kalamazoo College head coach to reach 500 career wins with a 3-1 victory at Albion on Oct. 4, 2011. Her 200th career conference victory came on Sept. 21, 2012 at Albion.

Hess coached her 1,000th game at Kalamazoo College in 2014.

Through the 2016 season, Hess ranked 20th among active NCAA III coaches with 551 career wins.

The Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1991, Hess served as the AVCA Division III representative to the Board of Directors from 2003-2008. She has previously participated in weekly voting for the American Volleyball Coaches Association National Coaches’ Poll and is a past member of the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Ranking Committee.

Hess received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, where she played varsity volleyball for four seasons (1976-80).  She earned a master’s degree in exercise science from Western Michigan University in 1985 and was inducted into WMU’s Alumni Honor Academy for Health, Physical Education and Recreation in April 2010.

In addition to coaching volleyball, Hess serves as professor in and chair of the Department of Physical Education. She has served as director of the Kalamazoo Athletic Fund, been an assistant for the women's basketball (1991-95) and softball (1996-2001) programs as well as serving as associate chaplain from 2001-2008. In recognition of her outstanding service, Hess was awarded the College's prestigious Lux Esto Award of Excellence in 2014.

Hess and her husband, Jim, reside in Kalamazoo. They have two sons, Andrew and Kevan. Andrew played baseball and earned his B.A. at the University of Michigan and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2007. Kevan played baseball at Western Michigan University and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2009.

Coach Hess published her first book in January of 2012. Sportuality: Finding Joy in the Games is a look into the heart of sport and how sport can be used as a vehicle for higher consciousness.

Getting to know Coach Hess

Hobbies/Interests: Writing, Travel, Watching Baseball, Playing Golf

Favorite Part about Coaching: Breakthrough moments during their time here, and then seeing them as alumni making a positive difference in the world.

Hero: Tish Loveless and all women who fought for women's rights in sport.

Favorite Sports Team (besides Kalamazoo): Professional: Detroit Tigers. College: University of Michigan.

Favorite Song: That depends on my mood.

Favorite Music Artist: Jimmy Buffett

Favorite Movie: Again, depending on my mood, it is either Wizard of Oz, Field of Dreams, or A League of Their Own (or apparently any movie with "of" in the title...)

Favorite Food: Anything from The Organic Gypsy :)

Favorite Professional Wrestler: Andre the Giant

Did you know?
1) Jeanne has two sons who played in the Detroit Tigers organization,
2) Her husband (Jim) coached women's basketball at Western Michigan University,
3) She has two brand-knew knees, and the best grandson ever!