Albany, NY----The Sage Colleges Athletic Director, Sandy Augstein-Collins announced the selection of Jason Wood (Scotia, NY) as Sage's new assistant men's volleyball coach. Woods is no stranger to Sage and the volleyball program at Sage having served as an assistant coach with the women's program and as interim head men's coach for the 2012 season.
Head men's volleyball coach noted of Woods' selection, "I'm very excited to bring Jason on board." She added, "He'll be a great asset to have here at Sage, as he such a well-respected coach and will certain help our young men's program at Sage."
A 1995 graduate of the University of Maine with a bachelor of science degree in physical education, Wood joined Sage's athletic department staff in the summer of 2011 as the assistant coach for the women's volleyball program. In addition, Wood achieved his masters degree in teacher education from the College of Saint Rose in 2003
He came to Sage after serving the previous four seasons on the staff at Union College. In his first year with the Union program, he helped lead the team to its first Liberty League title and a school record of 28 victories in 2007. As the team's defensive coordinator, he coached Union's libero, to the NYS Co-Defensive Player of the Year award after also finishing fifth nationally for digs per game for D-III schools. In his four seasons at Union, the Dutchwomen have produced a Liberty League title and an NCAA playoff appearance.
While at Sage in the role as interim head men's volleyball coach, he led the 2012 Gator team to a 17-10 finish with an impressive 9-5 record in the Skyline Conference. He helped the team garner a spot in the 2012 Skyline Conference Tournament for the team's third straight post-season berth. The 17 wins helped the team establish a school-record for wins in a season for the young Sage program. He also coached a pair of All-Stars as middle hitter Spencer Hilland was a first team honoree and outside hitter Dylan Krowicki was placed on the second team.
Wood has also coached at Bethlehem Central High School, Hudson Valley Community College, and the College of St. Rose. He holds certifications lifeguard training, CPR/FPR with an AED, as well as New York Teaching and Coaching certifications. He currently teaches middle school physical education in the Bethlehem Central School District, a position he has held since 1998. He is also the head coach of the Bethlehem Central High School Girls Volleyball Team, a position he has held since January of 2015, while also directing the Bethlehem Central Middle School's Outdoor Girls Track and Field Modified Team.