The University of Pittsburgh-Bradford has announced that Mark Lucas has been selected as the fourth full-time head coach to lead the Panthers women's volleyball program since it became an NCAA competitor in 2002-03. Lucas joins the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford from Wells College.
“We are excited to name Mark Lucas as head coach of the women's volleyball team,” Athletic Director Brett Butler said. “He is an experienced head coach and I have no doubt he will lead our volleyball back to the top of the AMCC and beyond.”
At Wells, Lucas coached the Express girls team for seven seasons and the boys team for two seasons. With the girls program, Lucas went 100-105 and had a 41-27 conference record. He led the boys team in the 2017 and 2018 seasons, compiling 18-6 and 40-21 records against conference opponents. Prior to taking over the girls program, he served as an assistant coach for both teams for two seasons.
In 2017, Lucas was named Northeastern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and led the Express to the conference semifinals for the third straight season. Last season, Wells joined the AMCC and Lucas led the Express to a 5-4 record in AMCC play, a tie for fourth place in the league and the fourth seed in the AMCC Tournament.
Prior to taking up his position at Wells, Lucas coached internationally and led the men's volleyball program at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies. His coaching record in Kyoto was 73-65. While in Japan, Mark also played as a player, competing for the Matsugasaki Club Team from 2008-2013. As a player, he was a member of two Sakyo Ward League Championship teams.
“I am honored to have been selected to lead this program,” Lucas said. “I feel the university’s strong academic focus and beautiful campus are a great fit for the program I hope to build.”
Lucas graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1991 with a degree in Biomedical Computing. He also holds a Master's in Education and a Bachelor's in Theatre Studies from the State University of New York at Brockport.
Lucas will take over a Panthers team that went 4-21 in 2023.
“Our team is eager to work,” Lucas added. “I think we have the players to compete for a playoff spot this fall.”
