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Jan Mann Named First UVA Women's Golf Coach
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June 11, 2002
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia has named Jan Mann its first-ever head coach of the women’s golf program, UVa Athletic Director Craig Littlepage announced on Tuesday.
Mann, the head coach at UNC Wilmington for the last eight seasons, will be responsible for launching Virginia’s women’s golf program as the school’s 25th intercollegiate sport. The team will begin competition during the fall of 2003.
“Those close to the women’s college golf community feel the University of Virginia can compete at the highest levels nationally,” Littlepage said. “Hiring a veteran coach of Jan Mann’s calibre not only gives our program instant credibility, it demonstrates that we will build a program the right way.”
“We are very excited to have a coach of Jan Mann’s stature join our staff,” said Senior Associate Athletic Director Jane Miller. “Not only is she a respected teacher and coach, she is also a wonderful role model. With eight years of successful coaching experience at the Division I level, she is absolutely the right person to build our women’s golf program.”
“I am honored to become the first women’s golf coach at the University of Virginia, and I am excited about joining a university with such strong academic and athletic traditions,” Mann said. “I look forward to working with the athletic department staff, the university, and the community of Charlottesville. I would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. William Eacho, Jr., for their generous contribution they made to start the program. One of my first tasks will be to get out on the road recruiting to build the foundation of a strong women’s golf program at the University of Virginia.”
Recognized as one of the top golf instructors in the country, Mann led UNC Wilmington to its first-ever NCAA Regional appearance in 2002 as well as to the Big South Conference championship. Named the 2002 Big South Coach of the Year, Mann has coached first-team All-Big South and Conference Player of the Year Becca Dean.
For seven consecutive seasons, Mann’s squad maintained the highest grade-point average of UNCW’s 19 athletic teams including the recognition of nine National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) Academic All-Americans. Last season, ten of her 11 student-athletes earned a 3.27 gpa or better. The team received the school’s 2001 Leadership Award for exceptional performance in the classroom, in the community, and on the playing field.
Additionally, Mann serves on the NCAA Women’s Division I Golf Committee and co-chairs the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee. She is also a member of the NGCA Education Committee. Golf Digest recognized her in 2000 and 2001 as one of the top teachers in North Carolina.
A native of Jacksonville, N.C., and a cum laude graduate of UNC Wilmington, Mann is a Class A member of both the Professional Golf Association (PGA) and Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Teaching and Club Professional Division.
She began her golf career as an assistant golf professional at the Cape Golf and Racquet Club and later at Echo Farms Golf and Country Club in Wilmington.
With her career emphasis on teaching, Mann moved to Point Clear, Ala., where she joined the teaching staff of the John Jacobs Golf Schools. Mann returned to North Carolina in 1991 as a teaching professional at Pinehurst. She assumed the responsibility as director of the Golf Schools and the Teaching Center. She remained in that position until joining the UNCW Seahawk staff in 1995.
Since 1993, Mann has also designed and sculpted statuettes for her own business, Mann’s Art Productions. Projects include the “Seahawk” for UNCW, the “Pirate” for East Carolina, the “Golf Lad” for the 1999 U.S. Open, and the “Golf Lad” for the 2005 U.S. Open.
Mann will relocate to Charlottesville with her husband, John. Her daughter, Lindsay, will remain in Wilmington while attending UNCW.
She will officially begin her duties with the University of Virginia on June 18.
With the addition of women’s golf, Virginia will have 13 intercollegiate sports for women and 12 for men. Golf is one of UVa’s 12 men’s sports.
In August 2001, Littlepage announced the addition of women’s golf. William C. Eacho, Jr., and his wife Linda of Bethesda, Md., donated $1.4 million to help create an endowment for funding women’s golf scholarships.