About Coach Cordova
Dana Cordova is starting her eighth year at OJC as the Head Volleyball and Golf Coach. Coach Cordova has been involved in sports her entire life. Dana is the daughter of Richard and Yvonne Cordova of Trinidad Colorado. She has nine brothers and sisters. Dana is a graduate of Hoehne High School, where she was a standout athlete. She received all-state honors in both Volleyball and Basketball and was a four time state qualifier in Track. At Hoehne, Coach Cordova participated in the CCGS volleyball game for both volleyball and basketball. She also participated in the Basketball all-state game in Greeley CO (CHSCAA) where she was MVP of the game.
After graduating from Hoehne High School, Coach Cordova attended Otero Junior College on a basketball scholarship. At Otero Coach Cordova was coached by Fred Boettcher, as well as Tim Moser. At Otero, Dana was named to the all-region first team both her freshman and sophomore year. She also received the prestigious honor of being named to the NJCAA All-American Team. Dana led the region in Rebounding both years. After graduating from Otero with an Associates of Arts degree, Coach Cordova transferred to McPherson College in McPherson Kansas. At McPherson she again received All-conference honors as well as led the conference in rebounding. While finishing up her Bachelor of Arts degree, Coach Cordova was an assistant volleyball coach at McPherson College. After a year of working with McPherson College Volleyball, coach Cordova accepted her current position here at Otero.
Coach Cordova believes in the tradition of Otero Junior College. “I love that at Otero JC, academics come before athletics. I am glad that I am in the position to give young athletes the same opportunities that I was given. At Otero every student is treated with respect and given every possible chance to succeed. I am very pleased to be back at Otero. I feel like I have returned home.” Coach Cordova also stated, “My overall goal is to help these young athletes get the most out of their experience here at Otero not only academically but athletically as well.”
OJC’s Dana Cordova moving on to Montana State University Billings
April 2008 — Dana Cordova, eight-year head coach of Otero Junior College’s volleyball and golf teams, has accepted a coaching position at Montana State University Billings. Cordova has served as the head coach of the OJC Rattler volleyball and golf teams since 2000. She will be assuming the head coaching duties of the MSUB Yellowjackets volleyball team. She will also be teaching two courses at the university.
Over her eight-year career at OJC, Cordova has posted an overall volleyball record of 165-155. During those eight years she has had 10 players named to All-Region IX teams, and in 2005, her team received the “Sheila R. Worley Sportsmanship” Award. In 2007, Cordova’s golf team finished on top of Region IX, winning all four Region IX tournaments.
Along with an outstanding performance on the court, Cordova’s student-athletes in volleyball and golf also excelled in the classroom as she has a 97.4 percent graduation rate. During her career at Otero, Cordova has had 13 Academic All-Americans, 52 Academic All-Region selections and the team has been ranked as high as 12th nationally in team grade-point average. The 2007 volleyball team has recently received a National Academic Team ranking of 22nd for the NJCAA.
“Coaching at the four year level has been a goal of Dana’s,” stated OJC Athletic Director Jeff Paolucci. “I am sad to see her leave OJC, but at the same time support her decision to move on to new challenges. She has been a great asset to the program, and I know she will continue to be successful.”
Cordova said she is grateful for the opportunities she has experienced at OJC. “My years here at Otero have been amazing. They took a very young person and give her a chance to live her dream. If it wasn’t for the support I received at Otero, I would never be in the position I am today. The future of Otero volleyball looks bright. I think with a great group of returning players and a solid freshman class, the volleyball team will continue to have great success,” said Cordova.
According to Montana State Billings Director of Athletics, Dr. Gary Gray, Cordova will become the program’s 12th head coach since the program was reinstated in 1984. “I am very excited to see Dana Cordova join our Yellowjackets athletic staff as our new volleyball coach,” Gray said. “She is a proven winner and has become a nationally recognized volleyball coach at Otero Junior College in Colorado. Virtually all of her student-athletes have graduated over her past 8 years at Otero, and that is an important factor to MSUB,” Gray said.
“I am very honored to be accepted into the MSUB family,” Cordova said. “I have great anticipation and excitement for the upcoming volleyball season. I hope to continue and build upon the great athletic and academic traditions at MSUB. With the returning core group and the incoming class I am excited about the possibilities this upcoming season holds.”
Cordova replaces Sara Schaub who took the head coaching position at Montana State just under two months ago. Schaub guided the Yellowjackets to an 18-10 record and a 10-8 mark in their first year in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Yellowjackets return all but two players from last season.
“I know coach Cordova will continue the successful growth and development of our MSUB volleyball program in the highly competitive GNAC,” Gray added. “It’s great for us to be able to attract a proven head coach with so much successful college coaching experience. This is a great step forward for our volleyball program.”
