Meet the Coaches

Van Zanic - Head Coach

For the past nine seasons, Van Zanic has handled the head coaching duties for Geneva’s softball team. During his tenure, Geneva has won more games than in any other nine year stretch in school history. With a career mark of 250-159, Zanic has won more games than any other softball coach in school history.

Last season, Zanic led Geneva to a 27-13 record, marking the seventh consecutive season that the Golden Tornadoes reached at least 25 victories. In doing so, Geneva also advanced to the NCCAA national tournament for the third time under Zanic’s leadership.

Zanic began his coaching career at Geneva as an assistant during the years of 2000 and 2001. He was hired as Geneva’s full-time sports information director in 1998, a position that he still holds along with his coaching duties.

Zanic has led the Golden Tornadoes to the post-season in seven of his nine years, including three regional tournament appearances and three NCCAA national tournament stints. During the first nine years at the helm, 43 student-athletes honored with All-Conference recognition. In addition, 26 student-athletes have received academic honors, while eight players have been named NCCAA All-Americans. “I think more than anything else that we have accomplished, I am most proud of the work that has been done in the classroom,” Zanic said. “Our ladies are dedicated student-athletes, who take great pride in their academic career. This fall our women registered a 3.3 team GPA, which is a great testament to the dedication our ladies have in the classroom.”

A Geneva graduate himself, Zanic completed his studies at Geneva in 1992 with a degree in Broadcast Communications. While with the Golden Tornadoes, Zanic spent four years playing baseball. A four-year starter at Geneva, he helped guide Geneva to four consecutive post-season appearances.

Zanic started his coaching career at the high school level as an assistant at Woodland Hills High School in the mid-90’s, alongside his father George Zanic. During his three years as an assistant, Woodland Hills qualified for the WPIAL play-offs in each of those seasons.

Zanic returned to his alma mater six years after graduating and has never looked back. “It is been a true blessing to be at Geneva,” said Zanic. “I am truly enjoying this opportunity to coach these young ladies every day. If anything else, they certainly keep you young.” Zanic and his wife Rebecca reside on College Hill with their two children, Zach (12) and Lexi (7).

Contact Coach Zanic by email at vgzanic@geneva.edu.

Lis Schulz - Assistant Coach

The slogan better late than never certainly applies to one of the new faces on the Geneva coaching staff. Lis Schulz nearly attended Geneva College as one of its top recruits out of high school but ended up attending Westminster College for four years and became one of the best players to ever wear a Titans uniform. Having to deal with Schulz in the opposing dugout for four years was evidence enough for the Golden Tornadoes when an opening on the coaching staff was made available. Schulz graduated in 2011 from Westminster and is currently enrolled in the graduate program in New Wilmington. "It was truly heartbreaking when we didn’t get Lis to come to Geneva out of high school," says Zanic. "She had an outstanding career at Westminster and has a real desire to coach." Schulz began her coaching career last season as an assistant at Westminster.

John Davis - Volunteer Assistant Coach

John Davis began his Geneva coaching career at the end of the 2012 season when he accompanied the Golden Tornadoes to Alma, MI for the NCAA regional tournament. Davis is back for his first full season with the Golden Tornadoes as a volunteer coach. Davis began his own college baseball career at Geneva where he spent the 1976-77 school year on College Hill. He finished his undergraduate degree in Business at Youngstown State University. The co-owner of Novak & Davis Insurance Agency since 1983, Davis is the father of Ashley Davis. He and his wife Diane have been married for 32 years and have three children and two grandchildren. Davis has spent 22 years coaching youth softball at the community level and five additional years coaching travel softball. Most recently, he served as an assistant coach at Springfield Local High School for five seasons. "What a wealth of knowledge Coach Davis brings to the table," says Zanic. "He is an absolute joy to have in our program and he is simply addicted to the game of softball. He has quickly become a team favorite and will be an outstanding addition to our coaching staff."

Samantha Michetti - Student Assistant

Joining the coaching ranks for 2013 is a familiar face to Geneva softball. Samantha Michetti has been a member of the Geneva softball program for each of the past three years. Finishing up her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education this year, Michetti has turned her attention to coaching. She will be in charge of the catching position where she spent most of the last three years behind the dish for the Golden Tornadoes. A native of Follansbee, WV, Michetti now resides in Canonsburg, PA. "Sam has a great love for softball and a great love for this program," head coach Van Zanic says. "I love having her around the ladies because of her enthusiasm and because of her experience. She will prove to be an invaluable commodity for our catchers in 2013."