Jefferson College Volleyball Coach Nominated for Historic NJCAA Legacy Award

Jo Ellen Stringer, former Jefferson College volleyball coach, has been nominated for the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Coaches Legacy Award, presented by Nufabrx. This new award will recognize the all-time winningest coaches in NJCAA history, making it the first time the organization has formally recognized coaches with this distinction.

Nearly 200 coaches across 28 different sports were nominated by NJCAA member institutions.

Jefferson College Field House Coordinator Marie Self, who nominated Stringer for the award and worked closely with her during their time at the College, said that Jo Ellen “has been the heart of Jefferson College athletics for decades.”

“She poured everything she had into her teams, on and off the court, and helped shape the lives of countless student-athletes,” Self said. “This recognition is so well deserved, and we’re beyond proud to see her honored in this way.”

Stringer served as head women's volleyball coach at Jefferson College for 33 seasons, followed by two years as the college’s full-time Director of Athletics. Under her leadership, Jefferson College developed a volleyball program that won 27 conference titles, 19 regional championships and over 1,200 wins. Stringer’s wins put her well above the award’s 700-win criteria. According to the NJCAA National Office, Stringer achieved 1,262 career wins, the most in NJCAA history.

Stringer's teams appeared in 21 NJCAA national championships, with 13 finishes in the top eight, including two national runner-up finishes. She was named Missouri Community College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year 16 times and District 12 Coach of the Year 16 times. In 2000, she received the Robert L. Lindsay Meritorious Service Award from USA Volleyball. Stringer is a graduate of DeSoto High School, Jefferson College and Southeast Missouri State University. She resides in Washington, Mo., with her husband, Bob.

This fall, a recognition ceremony will be held for Stringer at a Jefferson College volleyball game.