Brent Mutis
CapU Sports Info

Capilano University and the Blues Department of Athletics and Recreation are pleased to announce the hiring of John Swanson as the new women’s volleyball head coach.

Swanson comes to CapU with a lengthy and successful track record coaching PACWEST women’s and men’s volleyball. Beginning as an assistant coach with the volleyball program at the College of the Rockies (COTR) in Cranbrook, B.C., Swanson quickly moved up to assume head coach duties of both the women’s and men’s teams at COTR for the 2015-16 season.

In 2016, he guided the COTR women’s team to its first PACWEST provincial gold medal and an appearance at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national championship at Holland College in Prince Edward Island. Swanson remained the head coach at COTR through to 2019 and in the time since, has been a head and assistant coach with club and high school teams in Prince George and Osoyoos, where he led the girls team to its first provincial title in 2021.

“We are delighted John has accepted the head coach job with our Blues women’s volleyball team,” said CapU Athletic Director Georgette Reed. “This will be a big move for John and his family but one I know he is excited to make as it allows him to be closer to his children and grandchildren.

“John’s energy and enthusiasm were obvious to us in the selection process as is his commitment to academic excellence and providing a nurturing, positive environment for his student-athletes. We look forward to John joining the Blues family and setting a path forward for women’s volleyball.”

As an athlete, Swanson competed for Red Deer College and Langara College, earning CCAA national silver medals in 1986 and 1989. He was named a CCAA All-Canadian while playing at Langara in 1988 and was also the PACWEST tournament MVP in 1989.

"I am ecstatic for the opportunity to return to coaching volleyball at the collegiate level," said Swanson. "Capilano University is widely known as one of the premiere campuses and sports facilities in the province and the opportunity to become a member of the sports community within the University is something I feel very honoured to be a part of.

"I am excited to continue focusing on a culture that will strive for excellence on and off the volleyball court."

Swanson immediately assumes direction of the Blues women’s volleyball team and will lead all recruiting and training efforts.

The Blues 2023-24 roster returns PACWEST all-star Vanesa Gatto who excelled at both libero and outside hitter last season. Sibby Bos, a PACWEST all-rookie team member in 2022, and Nnya Mbaoma, a 2022 PACWEST Athlete of the Week and provincial tournament game MVP, will also feature on the Blues roster in the coming season.

Capilano’s 2023-24 PACWEST schedule begins with a pair of home games October 27 and 28 against Columbia Bible College.