JERSEY CITY, NJ - Saint Peter's University Director of Athletics,
Bryan Felt announced today that women's volleyball head coach
Jordan Yantin will take a medical leave of absence from the program. Joe Chojnacki has been named as the team's interim head coach.
"We fully support Coach Yantin during his leave. It is important for Jordan to focus on getting healthy at this time," stated Felt. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Yantin family and we look forward to his return to Saint Peter's."
"At my Doctor's recommendation, I need to step away and take some time to get healthy. I recently suffered a health scare that involved neurological issues," Yantin said. "I will be under the best treatment and have the care of my family to help get me through this challenge. I look forward to returning to the game I love and the Saint Peter's program. I am thankful to
Bryan Felt and the entire Saint Peter's family for their love and support. Go Peacocks!"
Chojnacki has been named interim head coach during Yantin's medical leave and will assume the role immediately. Chojnacki most recently served as an assistant coach at New York Institute of Technology. He began his time at NYIT in 2017 as the team's play-by-play announcer before being elevated to assistant coach in 2018. Serving as the leader of the NYIT defense, the team ranked first in their conference in digs and digs per set, while also coaching the team's starting libero to the Conference Libero of the Year and AVCA East Rookie of the Year honors. Chojnacki has prior head coaching experience, leading Aldephi from 2003-06. He led the Panthers to two conference tournaments in his three seasons at Adelphi. He began his time at Adelphi as an assistant coach in 2000. Following his time at Adelphi, Chojnacki was an assistant coach for Fordham from 2006-07 and a volunteer assistant at St. John's from 2015-2017, working primarily with the liberos and defensive specialist.
"I want to thank
Bryan Felt and his staff for giving me the opportunity to step in," said Chojnacki. "I am really excited to work with this team as we try to build on the success they had last year. My thoughts and prayers are with Jordan and I hope for a speedy recovery."
"We are extremely fortunate and thankful to have Coach Chojnacki step in and serve as Interim Head Coach," said Felt. "He brings tremendous coaching experience and our team will benefit from his leadership during Coach Yantin's medical leave."
Yantin was named as the 10th head coach of the Saint Peter's women's volleyball team back in March. Yantin joined the Peacocks after serving as the head coach at Florida State College at Jacksonville for two seasons. While at the helm, he guided Florida State College at Jacksonville to a conference championship, back to back appearances in the FCSAA Region VIII Tournament, and a top-20 national ranking. Yantin was named 2017 Panhandle Conference Coach of the Year and he coached consecutive Panhandle player of the years, two All-Americans, three All-Region players, and 12 all-conference players. From 2005 to 2008, Yantin was the Junior Beach Volleyball Champion and MVP for Puerto Rico. He and his partner won the 2006 AAU Beach Volleyball Gold Championship, the first pair from Puerto Rico to ever win the tournament. In 2008, 2009 and 2010, Jordan and his partner were crowned as Beach Volleyball Champions in Puerto Rico.
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GoFundMe page has been created by Yantin's family to help support his medical treatment.
