Coach Jane Passa Selected as NJCAA Coaches Legacy Award Honoree

March 13, 2025

Charlotte, NC –The NJCAA has announced its first ever honorees for the Coaches Legacy Awards presented by Nufabrx, which recognizes the all-time winningest coaches in NJCAA history. This is the first time in the near 90-year history of the NJCAA that coaches have been recognized in such a fashion by the Association.

Nearly 200 coaches across 28 different sports were nominated by the member colleges at which they coached.

"Being able to recognize our coaches, past and present, is a wonderful thing for the NJCAA, our member institutions, the coaches, and their families," said Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President and CEO. "We look forward to having many of these coaches come together for us to celebrate their accomplishments and contributions to the NJCAA later this year."

All honorees will be recognized at a special luncheon on Tuesday, June 17, in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Hilton Charlotte University Place Hotel. The luncheon will precede the 2025 NJCAA Hall of Fame and Awards event, scheduled for later that day. Outreach has already begun for honorees and designees regarding attendance.

Please click HERE for the full list of honorees.
For information on tickets, please click HERE.

"Coaching at NDSCS has been one of the best decisions I have ever made for both myself and my family. I am forever grateful for all the support our administration, players, faculty and staff have provided our program." - Head Coach Jane Passa

Jane Passa will be entering her 27th year as head coach of the NDSCS volleyball program in 2025. With a coaching record of 704-262, she has had 24 consecutive winning seasons and 25 20-win seasons. During her tenure in Wahpeton, Passa had a 40-win season and four 30-win seasons. She has accumulated an impressive 271-43 record on the home court of Ed Werre Arena.

Passa finished the 2024 season as Mondak Conference Champs, and Region XIII runners-up.

During her time as head coach, the Wildcats have won conference titles in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021 (Covid Season), and 2024. They were Region XIII champions in 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021 (Covid Season) and 2023.

Passa led the Wildcats to their first National Tournament in 2001 as NJCAA Division II National runners-up and District G and Region XIII champions. In 2007 the Wildcats finished with a Mon-Dak Conference title, as well as District O and Region XIII titles and a birth to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament. In 2018 the Wildcats finished with a Mon-Dak Conference title, as well as District G and Region XIII titles and a birth to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament. In 2021 the Wildcats finished with a Region XIII title, a Northwest Plains District title, and a birth to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament.

Coach Passa was selected Mon-Dak Conference Coach of the Year in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021 (Covid Season), and 2024 along with Region XIII Coach of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021 (Covid Season), 2021 and 2023. She was named District G Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2018, District O Coach of the Year in 2007, and Northwest Plains District Coach of the Year in 2021 and 2023.

The Wildcats are on pace for another successful season in 2025 with goals of competing for the Region XIII championship and another trip to the national tournament.

Coach Passa came to NDSCS after teaching and coaching at North Dakota State University (NDSU), where she helped lead the Bison to runner-up in the 1998 National Division II Collegiate Women's Volleyball Tournament. She also served as an assistant coach at Minnesota State University-Moorhead for two years. Passa earned her bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota and her master's degree from NDSU.

Along with coaching and teaching duties at NDSCS, Passa serves as Program Coordinator of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department. She and her husband, Jayme, have two daughters who both play and played college volleyball.