Former PCC women’s volleyball coach Lori Jepsen, was inducted into the California Community College Women’s Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Dec. 4 during the California Community College Athletic Association’s 15th annual volleyball championship banquet, held at PCC’s Community Education Center. “It’s a tremendous honor to be given this award,” Jepsen said. Jepsen led the Lancers for 24 years between 1979 and 2002.
As head coach, Jepsen built the program to become a top 20 team in the state.
The night’s guest list consisted of coaches and volleyball teams from all around the state including the final eight teams who participated in the CCCAA championship games held in PCC’s Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium on Dec. 5.
Jepsen was joined by fellow Hall of Fame inductee, Mary Ann Paz, the current athletic director and division dean of physical education and recreation at San Joaquin Delta College.
During her years at PCC, Jepsen accumulated a 369-210 record and took her team to three state championships.
Jepsen was a junior college all-American volleyball player and a four-sport athlete at PCC including volleyball, co-ed volleyball, basketball and swimming.
She was honored by being named the Female Athlete of the Year and was inducted into the PCC Hall of Fame.
Jepsen played a vital role in the creation of the Adaptive Physical Education program – which was introduced to PCC in 2000.
“It’s surreal coming back to Pasadena,” said Jepsen.
“It’s great to see all of my colleagues and friends once again,” she said.
The young athlete then went on to become a three-sport athlete and a member of the 1976 National Champion Women’s Volleyball team at the University of California.
She earned her degree at USC and a master’s at Azusa Pacific University soon after.
Jepsen is currently in her sixth year as head coach of the women’s volleyball team at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.
“I want to thank PCC for giving me the opportunity to coach and I want to wish them a lot of luck. I know they are going to continue to do great,” said Jepsen.
Former volleyball coach Lori Jepsen accepts her plaque after being inducted into the California Community Colleges Women’s Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame. (Charles Digal)
- EDITORIAL: Apologize about the real problem - April 23, 2014
- STATEMENT: District apologizes to Oscar winning alum - April 21, 2014
- EDITORIAL: The Forgotten Students - March 26, 2014
