Joel B. Dearing ’79 Volleyball Fund

Coach Dearing high fives a volleyball student

Establishing the Joel B. Dearing '79 Volleyball Fund will provide increased annual support for the Springfield College women’s and men’s volleyball programs.

Support the Fund

Begin with the end in mind.

These are the words that students and athletes who learned from coach Joel Dearing heard when he worked to help them achieve their goals.

Begin with the end in mind.

No matter what we do, it is important to have a vision from the very start, and to have pride in that vision, and direct our energies and efforts toward that vision. When we understand what our end goal is--whether personal or professional--the path to get there is more clearly defined.

Your end goal with the Joel B. Dearing '79 Volleyball Fund will be to help and support our student-athletes in our women's and men's volleyball programs.

Joel "Coach D" Dearing, coached women’s and men’s collegiate volleyball for 40 seasons, including coaching at Springfield College from 1989-2010. Following his retirement as the Springfield College head women’s volleyball coach in 2010, he remained on the Springfield College faculty, serving as the program director of and teaching full time in the Athletic Administration Graduate Program. Although he retired from Springfield College in 2020, his legacy continues through this volleyball fund. It is named in his honor, and your gift can preserve his legacy.

"Our Humanics philosophy calls us together," said Dearing in his Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics lecture in April 1998. This has been true throughout our history and, indeed, continues to move us forward today.

He continued, "It challenges us to unite around the concept of the importance of educating the whole person, in spirit, mind, and body, symbolized by our triangle. It challenges us to unite around the concept that this type of education will enable our students to go into the world and serve others."

Your gift to the Joel B. Dearing '79 Volleyball Fund will provide the best experiences for our volleyball student-athletes while preparing them with the end in mind— lives and careers in spirit, mind, and in body.

To support the fund, donate via our online athletics donation form and select the Joel B. Dearing ’79 Volleyball Fund from the Springfield College Athletics dropdown menu.

Laura Metallo
Director of Development
Springfield College
263 Alden Street
Springfield, Mass. 01109
(413) 748-3120
lmetallo@springfield.edu

Coach Dearing works with the men's volleyball team

Coach Dearing has coached women’s and men’s collegiate volleyball over a span of 30 years and a total of 40 seasons.

Charlie Sullivan ’91, G’97, Springfield College Head Men’s Volleyball Coach

“As for many, Coach D was an inspiration and a role model for me. I would often ask myself, "would Coach D do that"? His accomplishments will never be matched and his connection to student athletes will always be special. I was fortunate that he let me into his career.”

Moira Long G’97, Springfield College Head Women’s Volleyball Coach

“I have known Joel Dearing for 26 years. He has been my mentor, sounding board, teacher and now friend. It is true, he is a hall of fame coach, but he is a hall of fame person more importantly. He epitomizes what it means to live your life by the Humanics philosophy. He is by far the best human being I have had the pleasure to know and I am honored to have taken over this program and continue to build the legacy.”

Kelsey Armstrong G’18

“Coach D is undoubtedly the best mentor and has had the biggest influence on my career. He made a huge impact on my positive experience at Springfield College with his passion for living the Humanics philosophy and his commitment to helping others.”

Madison Townley G’16

“I cannot think of anyone who more fully embodies the mission of Springfield College than Coach D. His devotion and passion to the Athletic Administration graduate program is what made me want to get my master’s degree. His love for Springfield College and each of his students shines through in every conversation or interaction you have with him. My experience at Springfield College and with Coach D as a professor, advisor, and mentor had a huge impact on the athletics professional I am today!”

Mary Consol ’13, G’16

“Coach D has been extremely impactful to me as a coach, educator, and person. The values I practiced both as his athlete and student are a huge part of who I am today. There is no one like Coach D!”

Jade Morris G’13

"Coach D has been an amazing mentor, friend, and supporter who has changed my life in many ways personally and professionally. He puts his whole heart into every single thing he does and keeps you on your toes with his energy, passion, and empathy — there is NOBODY like him!!”

Heather MacRae ‘98

“Coach Dearing was the reason I chose Springfield College. He is an amazing coach/leader and an incredible person. The lessons that he taught me many years ago have stayed with me and helped me to become the person and professional that I am today.”

Whitney Miller ‘15

“When I think of Coach D, I think of Springfield College. He was somebody who really embodied what the Springfield College image is. He allowed me to build a foundation that I now have as my core values. So when leaving the nest of Springfield College, those values are what I held dear, that he taught me to have.”