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Head Women's Volleyball Coach 1997 - Present
Assistant Professor
Tom Sonnichsen joined Grinnell's coaching staff in 1997 to direct both the women's volleyball and softball programs. In 1998 he led the Pioneer volleyball team to their most successful season in program history, posting a 23-9 record and placing second at the Midwest Conference tournament.
Sonnichsen has coached volleyball at all levels, from junior clubs and high school teams to collegiate Division I and USA Volleyball Open competition. Prior to his appointment at Grinnell, Sonnichsen developed a national caliber team at Baylor University in Texas. He was selected the Southwest Conference Coach of the Year in 1991. In 1993 he guided the Bears to a runner-up finish in the program's first post-season tournament, the National Invitational Volleyball Championships.
Sonnichsen graduated from the University of Oregon in 1974 with a B.S. in Political Science. In 1997 he obtained a M.S. Ed. in Sport Management from Baylor.
In his spare time, Sonnichsen enjoys gardening, bonsai, fishing and spending time with family. He is also an Assistant Professor of Physical Education. He and his wife, Cathy, reside in Grinnell. They have two sons, Matt and Kirk, along with four grandchildren.
Assistant Women's Volleyball Coach 2008
Jackie Hutchison joined the volleyball coaching staff this fall. She brings division I playing experience, having been an outside hitter for 4 years at UW-Milwaukee (1989-1993) before transferring to Marquette University to pursue her masters degree in physical therapy. Her experience as an outside hitter will complement coach Sonnichsen's work with the team.
She and her family moved to Grinnell in 2007. They have a 5 year old son, Henry.
Jackie has practiced physical therapy for over 10 years and studies craniosacral work and yoga . She is an adjunct faculty at University of Castilla-La Mancha in Toledo Spain and has taught at George Washington University in Washington DC as part of their doctorate program in physical therapy.
Volunteer Assistant Women's Volleyball Coach 2004 - Present
Kirk Sonnichsen joined the volleyball program in 2004 and works with both the setters and the defensive specialists.
He was an All-American setter at the club level at Baylor University, a member of the Texas Stars men's team that competed in numerous USA Volleyball National Championships, and a very successful Junior Olympic club coach. He is married and has three children, Brooke, Bryce, and Bradley.
He is a manager for Panera Breads in Des Moines and is a gormet chef. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Sport Management.
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