Long Beach State University Athletics
Photo by: John Fajardo
Shana Welch Granted Contract Extension
6/13/2022 10:42:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
The third-year women’s water polo coach has been extended through the 2027 season.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Shana Welch has been granted a new contract extension from Executive Director of Athletics Andy Fee, one which will keep the third-year head coach in her current position through the 2027 season.
Welch took over the reins of the program prior to the shortened 2021 season, and then in her first full season with the program in 2022 led the team to a No. 9 ranking in the final polls of the season as well as a winning record behind third team All-American Orsi Hertzka.
"Under the leadership of Shana Welch, our student-athletes have achieved new heights in the classroom, community, and in the pool," said Fee. "I am excited to support Shana in our shared vision for the future and continue to build upon the tremendous foundation she and her staff have put in place. They have been successful in recruiting great talent to our campus, and the program's growth has been exciting to watch and bodes well for the future. The best is certainly yet to come for Long Beach State Women's Water Polo."
Welch initially joined the program in 2015 as a volunteer assistant coach, and ultimately transitioned into the Associate Head Coach of the program in 2020. In that position, Welch was responsible for leading the program in Gavin Arroyo's absence as he prepared for USA Water Polo's time in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. In that role, Welch had the team playing well with a 12-6 overall record and a 1-0 record in league play prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic shutdown.
"I am excited and humbled to continue on this journey with a team and school I love," said Welch. "I want to thank our President, Dr. Jane Conoley and our Executive Director of Athletics, Andy Fee for their continued trust and confidence in me to lead this program. I want to thank our Senior Staff and all of our support staff who continue to play an integral part in the growth and success of this program.
"I look forward to continue working with our amazing student-athletes who inevitably will continue to make a huge impact on our community and society. My goal is to keep building on the legacy of this program and contribute to the overall successes of this athletic department and university. I couldn't be prouder to be a part of the Beach Family!"
Long Beach State's Women's Water Polo team has found success outside of the pool as well under Welch, as Lena Kotanchyan has been twice named the Big West Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year at the Beach, and the program recently finished with a 3.35 term GPA this past spring.
The hiring of Shana Welch in 2021 marked the addition of the first solely dedicated head coach for the program since the departure of Catherine Von Schwarz following the 2008 season, when Gavin Arroyo assumed head coaching duties for the women's program as well as the men's.
Welch turned to coaching following a spectacular career as a player with Michigan. She set the single-season record in goals scored for the Wolverines with 84, and was a three-time All-American before playing professionally in Australia and Greece.
Welch took over the reins of the program prior to the shortened 2021 season, and then in her first full season with the program in 2022 led the team to a No. 9 ranking in the final polls of the season as well as a winning record behind third team All-American Orsi Hertzka.
"Under the leadership of Shana Welch, our student-athletes have achieved new heights in the classroom, community, and in the pool," said Fee. "I am excited to support Shana in our shared vision for the future and continue to build upon the tremendous foundation she and her staff have put in place. They have been successful in recruiting great talent to our campus, and the program's growth has been exciting to watch and bodes well for the future. The best is certainly yet to come for Long Beach State Women's Water Polo."
Welch initially joined the program in 2015 as a volunteer assistant coach, and ultimately transitioned into the Associate Head Coach of the program in 2020. In that position, Welch was responsible for leading the program in Gavin Arroyo's absence as he prepared for USA Water Polo's time in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. In that role, Welch had the team playing well with a 12-6 overall record and a 1-0 record in league play prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic shutdown.
"I am excited and humbled to continue on this journey with a team and school I love," said Welch. "I want to thank our President, Dr. Jane Conoley and our Executive Director of Athletics, Andy Fee for their continued trust and confidence in me to lead this program. I want to thank our Senior Staff and all of our support staff who continue to play an integral part in the growth and success of this program.
"I look forward to continue working with our amazing student-athletes who inevitably will continue to make a huge impact on our community and society. My goal is to keep building on the legacy of this program and contribute to the overall successes of this athletic department and university. I couldn't be prouder to be a part of the Beach Family!"
Long Beach State's Women's Water Polo team has found success outside of the pool as well under Welch, as Lena Kotanchyan has been twice named the Big West Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year at the Beach, and the program recently finished with a 3.35 term GPA this past spring.
The hiring of Shana Welch in 2021 marked the addition of the first solely dedicated head coach for the program since the departure of Catherine Von Schwarz following the 2008 season, when Gavin Arroyo assumed head coaching duties for the women's program as well as the men's.
Welch turned to coaching following a spectacular career as a player with Michigan. She set the single-season record in goals scored for the Wolverines with 84, and was a three-time All-American before playing professionally in Australia and Greece.
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