skip navigation
Messar Headshot

Messar Named WVCA Executive Director

By WVCA, 08/07/17, 4:00PM CDT

Share

WVCA appoints Messar as new leader of organization

For Release: August 7, 2017

OSHKOSH, Wis. – The Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association appointed Jay Messar the first-ever WVCA Executive Director Saturday at its annual clinic at Lourdes Academy in Oshkosh this Saturday.

“I am thrilled that the WVCA selected me as the next leader of this organization,” Messar said. “I truly think this organization is bursting with potential and I am hoping to grow this dynamic sport in the state of Wisconsin.”

Messar will take over all administrative duties previously held by WVCA Interim President James Bremness, most importantly providing clear and concise leadership for the Association.

“This shift from a volunteer President role to an Executive Director position aligns the WVCA with many other coaches associations across the state,” Bremness said. “I think this move is a step in the right direction and shows the WVCA is committed to change and growth.”

The Executive Director will also act as the main contact for all WVCA-hosted events, including the annual Fall Clinic, All-State Awards Banquet and State Tournament hospitality area at the Resch Center.

“Since joining the board back in September, I have tried diligently to listen to what this association needs and how I can contribute,” Messar said. “Some reform in how we nominate and select our All-State athletes is one of the most pressing issues at hand. I think the reimplementation of a WVCA All-Star Match, or series of matches, would be another positive step. How we can improve clinic attendance and overall interest by our statewide coaches is another overarching theme. Essentially, everything the Association does needs to be for the betterment of the coaches and the kids across the entire state, and I intend to ensure that much of our methods going forward do just that.”

Much of Messar’s platform as the newly-elected Executive Director is focused on increasing membership and participation, specifically reaching into some of the untapped corners of the state.

“The WVCA would benefit greatly from a wider balance in statewide representation,” Messar said. “With almost 500 schools in the state sponsoring girls volleyball, issues that some schools face likely will not be universal. To connect those which do have common problems would provide a much more valuable resource for finding solutions.”

This new appointment will also undertake a handful of tasks previously performed by the WVCA Secretary, as Kim Monsen announced her retirement late last month after serving as a board member for 36 years. Monsen, who held several positions in her tenure, was also awarded a plaque for her dedicated service to the Association at Saturday’s clinic.

“Kim has already been a wonderful resource in this transition of leadership,” Messar said. “While she has officially ‘retired’, I have the feeling the WVCA will continue to seek her experience and guidance for quite a while.”

Messar, a Luck, Wis., native, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He enters the WVCA Executive Directorship role after spending the past eight years in the sports information field, most recently as the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications at Saint Anselm College, an NCAA Division II school in Manchester, N.H. There, he managed all communication outlets for half of the Hawks’ 20 sponsored sports, including softball, men’s and women’s ice hockey, and women’s volleyball.

His coaching experience spans several levels of competition, including working with junior select girls volleyball teams at two Milwaukee-area club programs and two seasons as an assistant volleyball and softball coach at NCAA Division III-affiliated Mount Mary University. This fall he will enter his first season as Varsity Assistant for the girls volleyball program at Greendale High School, where he was also an assistant coach with the Panthers’ softball program last spring.