ONEONTA, N.Y. - Hartwick Women's Volleyball Head Coach Janet Donovan has announced her retirement from coaching, effective Apr. 1, capping a decorated 28-year career, including nine seasons at Hartwick, the final three leading the Blue and White to unprecedented success.

"To every student-athlete who wore the jersey, every coach who poured into this program, and every fan who supported us, thank you for allowing me to be part of something bigger than myself," stated Donovan. "I am equally grateful to have worked within an incredible athletic department, alongside administrators and staff who became trusted colleagues and lifelong friends. The relationships built here at Hartwick will always mean more to me than the wins and losses."

A pioneer in the Division III volleyball landscape, Donovan leaves the game ranked among the NCAA's all-time greats. She currently sits:

* 12th among winningest active coaches (all divisions) with 755 career victories

* 4th among Division III active coaches in total wins

* 36th among Division III active coaches in winning percentage (.694)

Donovan began her collegiate head coaching career at Keuka College in 1990, guiding the Wolves to a 24-14 record in her first season. She later returned to the collegiate ranks as head coach at Ithaca College, where she led the Bombers from 1992 to 2016.

During her 24 seasons at Ithaca, Donovan built one of Division III's premier programs, amassing nearly 700 victories — ranking sixth among active NCAA Division III head coaches at the time and 15th all-time in Division III history. She guided the Bombers to back-to-back Final Four appearances and posted a program-best 53-4 record in 1994. That season included a perfect 10-0 mark in conference play before falling to eventual national champion Washington University in St. Louis at the NCAA Championships.

Her teams made nine consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 1993-2001, compiling a 17-15 overall record in NCAA Tournament play.

Following her remarkable tenure at Ithaca, Donovan joined Hartwick and served as an assistant coach for six seasons before being named head coach in 2023.

In just her second season at the helm, the Hawks posted a 20-3 overall record and earned a No. 4 ranking in NCAA Region III, securing the first regional ranking in program history.

Donovan elevated the program even further in 2025, leading the Hawks to a 23-11 overall record and a 10-1 mark in Empire 8 play. Hartwick advanced to the Empire 8 Championship match for just the second time in program history before turning its attention to the ECAC Championships. The Hawks defeated Keene State and New Jersey City University to capture the program's first-ever ECAC title.

"I am incredibly grateful for all that Coach Donovan has done for Hartwick's women's volleyball program," said Paul Vecchio, Executive Director of Athletics. "Her efforts during her time as both assistant and head coach have put Hartwick's women's volleyball program on the map in the Northeast and to compete at the very top of the highly competitive Empire 8 Conference."

"Janet was a pioneer in women's volleyball and her numbers speak for themselves in terms of being amongst the very best to ever coach at the Division III level," said Vecchio. "I'm also extremely grateful for her efforts in getting our men's volleyball program up and running, further enhancing the legacy she leaves behind for Hawks volleyball. We wish her nothing but great health and happiness in retirement!"

About Hartwick College:
Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.