Valerie Townsend

Professor of Physical Education; Head Women's Volleyball Coach
  • Expertise

    Expertise

    Valerie (Cowan) Townsend has been at the helm of Pomona-Pitzer’s volleyball program for more than 15 years and has built up the program to a perennial winner. In 2003, the Sagehens finished second in the SCIAC at 9-5, beginning a streak of eight straight seasons without a losing record (seven winning seasons, and one .500 season in 2005). In 2008, Pomona-Pitzer reached the 20-win plateau, finishing with a 20-9 overall record.

    Areas of Expertise

    ATHLETICS

    • Women's Volleyball
    • Pilates Method;
    • Core Training
    • Strong Method
  • Work

    Work

    Selected Performances

    Pomona-Pitzer Volleyball History & Record Book

    “Meet Me at Monache: A Walk Down Memory Lane”, Podcast Interview, May 2019

    “City Beach High Academic Volleyball Camp”, Coach and Panel Member, June 2016

    “Pomona-Pitzer Volleyball and Division III Athletics”, Springville International Sunrise Rotary, February 2015       

    “Windward School Athletic College Recruitment Night” Panel Member, April 2014

    “Inside the Quad” Panel Member, Pomona College, March 2014

    “Transition Offense and Plyo/Strength Training”, Palm Springs Volleyball Coaches Clinician, July 2005           

    “A Special Evening for College-Bound Student-Athletes, Their Parents and Coaches” Advisory Panel Member, Saint Monica Catholic High School , February 2003   

    Division III Athletics Representative for College-Bound Student-Athletes, March 2001

    Assistant Coach with NOVA KBM Professional Volleyball Team in Maribor, Slovenia (Jan - Feb 2008)

    USA Open Adult Volleyball Nationals annual event; 1 Gold (1997-Kansas City), 3 Silver (2001-Milwaukee, 2006-New Orleans & 2008-Atlanta) and 1 Bronze Medal (1998-Tuscon)

  • Education

    Education

    M.A. in Health, Physical Education & Recreation, Saint Mary’s College

    B.S. in Physical Education, California State University Bakersfield

    Professional Experience

    Prior to joining the Sagehens, Townsend served as an assistant coach at the University of Evansville (Ind.) during the 1999 season. Townsend was also the Head Volleyball Coach at Porterville College (Calif.) from 1995-1999. At Porterville, Townsend's team qualified for the NorCal Regionals for the first time.

    Before making the transition to coaching at the collegiate level, Townsend coached at North High School in Bakersfield, and at Canberra High School in Australia. She has also had coaching experience with the Vintage Volleyball Club and with the San Luis Obispo Juniors. In addition to her coaching experience, Townsend has worked several camps, including San Luis Obispo, U.C. Santa Barbara, C.S.U. Bakersfield, and West Texas State.

    Qualifications & Certifications

    • Alliance of Women Coaches, 2016 - present
    • American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), 2000 - present
    • Southern California Volleyball Association (SCVA), 1997 - present
    • Art of Coaching Head Coach Level 1, December 2019
    • Art of Coaching Setter Coaching Level 1, December 2019
    • SafeSport Re-Certification, September 2019
    • PiYo Instructor Certification, April 2015
    • TRX Suspension Training Instructor Certification, May 2015
    • USA Volleyball CAP II Certification, January 2009
    • USA Volleyball CAP I Certification, January 2007
    • IMPACT Certification, July 2006
    • Bally Total Fitness Group Exercise Practical Certification (Pilates), August 2001

    Recent Courses Taught

    • Beginning Pilates
    • TRX Suspension Training
    • Core Training
    • Adapted PE
  • Awards & Honors

    Awards & Honors

    Inducted into the Monache High School Athletic Hall of Fame for Volleyball, Basketball and Track & Field; Member of the third induction class (April 2019)

    Townsend Hall of Fame Announcement

    2019 Monache Hall of Fame Class

    NCAA Women’s Coaches Academy Class #47 Graduate, 2019

    SCIAC Sports Chair for Volleyball, 2014 - present

    SCVA Board of Directors, 2007 - present

    SCVA Board of Directors Ethics and Eligibility Committee, 2010 - present

    AVCA All Region Awards Committee, 2016 - present

    SCVA High Performance Co-Director, 2017 - 2019

    SCVA High Performance Director & Coach, 2013 - 2016

    AVCA National Poll Voting Committee, 2014 - 2016

    AVCA All-America Selection Committee, 2007 - 2015

    AVCA All Region Awards Committee Chair, 2007 - 2015

    NCAA Thousand Oaks Regional Site Representative, 2015

    NCAA Thousand Oaks Regional Site Representative, 2014

    NCAA Regional Advisory Committee Interim Chair, 2014

    NCAA Regional Advisory Committee, 2012 - 2014

    SCVA High Performance Program, Co-Director and Coach, 2006 - 2012

    SCVA High Performance Head Coach at Global Challenge (Pula, Croatia), 2006 - 2014

    Bring It Promotions European Exposure Tour Head Coach, January 2013

    SCIAC Sports Chair for Volleyball, 2004 - 2012

    Bring It Promotions New Year’s Bash Head Coach (Slovenia, Czech Republic), Dec ‘12-Jan ‘13

    Bring It Promotions European Exposure Tour Head Coach, January 2012

    Bring It Promotions New Year’s Bash Head Coach (Slovenia, Austria), Dec ‘11-Jan ‘12

    NCAA Representative at the NCAA Western Regional Tournament, 2009

    USA High Performance Holiday Camp Coach, December 2008

    NOVA KBM guest coach Maribor, Slovenia,  Jan/Feb 2008

    NCAA Representative at the NCAA Western Regional Tournament, 2006

    AVCA All-America Selection Committee, 2005

    NCAA Regional Ranking Committee, 2002 – 2005

    AVCA All Region Awards Committee, 2001 – 2006

    NCAA Representative at the NCAA Quarterfinal Match, 2004

    NCAA Representative at the NCAA Western Regional Tournament, 2004

    NCAA Representative at the NCAA Western Regional Tournament, 2003

    AVCA Representative/Presenter at the NCAA Final Four, 2003