(Photo by Dave Kopp)

Philip "Flip" Piontek will succeed Peggy Martin as Jennies Volleyball Coach in 2009

The University of Central Missouri didn’t have to look far to find the head coach to follow the legendary Peggy Martin.  As a matter of fact, he’s been on the Jennies volleyball bench the past 22 seasons. Long-time assistant coach Philip “Flip” Piontek will take over as head coach on January 1, 2009, upon the retirement of Martin following her 33rd and final season, UCM Athletic Director Jerry Hughes announced on May 1.

“I am very confident that Philip Piontek will continue the great tradition of Jennies volleyball, said Hughes, “He has had the opportunity to learn under one of the great volleyball coaches of all time and now can put his own mark on the program.”

During Piontek’s time as assistant coach at UCM, the Jens have won 15 MIAA titles and qualified for 22 straight NCAA-II National Tournaments.  The streak includes six regional titles and five top-five national finishes in NCAA Division II. The Jens boast an overall record of 700-164 (.810) during his time on Martin’s staff.

“It is an honor and tremendous responsibility to follow Coach Martin and her legacy.” said Piontek, “After 23 years on staff, it is my goal to continue the great tradition of Jennies volleyball.”

The hiring of Piontek comes with the full support of his long-time boss and mentor, as well as UCM’s administration.

“I am very pleased that the tradition of UCM Jennies volleyball will continue under the tutelage of Phil Piontek.” said Martin, “He has been a loyal assistant for over twenty years and is more than ready to lead the program into the future.  I have complete confidence in his ability to transition to the head coaching position.” More on Peggy Martin's retirement

“Coach Peggy Martin has had a stellar career and leaves a wonderful legacy for UCM volleyball and for opportunities for women in athletics,” said University President Aaron Podolefsky.  “Her strong support for Assistant Coach Piontek convinces me that he is the right person for the job at this time.”

Piontek joined the Jennies program in time for the 1986 season. He spent three years prior to that (from 1982-84) as an assistant at the United States Air Force Academy, where he helped the Falcons win two league titles and finish third at the 1983 NCAA-II National Tournament.

This position will not be Piontek’s first experience as a head coach.  In 1998, he served as co-coach of Kansas City’s first professional women’s volleyball team, The Kansas City Lighting.  He helped the Lighting to a 7-1 record and a regular-season title before they fell in the semi-finals of the playoffs to the eventual champion Nebraska Tornados.   In the summer of 2001, he coached the Missouri/Kansas High Performance Team to a third-place finish at the inaugural USA Volleyball High Performance Colorado Cup.

A United States Air Force veteran who played volleyball while in the service, Piontek has helped several teams qualify for the USA Volleyball Nationals as a player. He has also been active in the sport as a nationally certified referee and scorekeeper.  At the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, he served as a line judge during the beach volleyball competition.

Piontek earned his bachelor’s degree in history in 1975 from the United States Air Force Academy.  He also received a master’s degree in history from Indiana University later that same year.  In 1988, he earned a second master’s degree in Business Administration from Central Missouri. 

Since 1990, Piontek has served in a variety of roles in the management of the Multipurpose Building in addition to his volleyball coaching duties.  He has also coordinated athletic facility needs on campus for the department for several years. 

Piontek’s wife Stacy was a two-time first-team All-American for the Jennies volleyball team after transferring from the Air Force Academy. She helped UCM to a national runner-up finish in 1987 and is a member of UCM’s Athletic Hall of Fame.  She is currently the head coach of the Warrensburg High School Lady Tigers volleyball team.  The couple has three sons, Joe (18), Matt (16) and Nick (12), and two daughters, Hally (10) and Shilpa (9).