JOHNSON, VT. – Vermont State University Johnson Athletics announced today the promotion of former student-athlete Natalia Medina to the dual roles of Head Men's Volleyball Coach and Sports Information Director (SID).
Medina, who has spent the last several seasons climbing the program's coaching ranks as an assistant for both the men's and women's volleyball teams, will immediately assume head coaching responsibilities. Alongside her leadership on the court, Medina will oversee athletic communications, media relations, and digital content strategy for all Badger sports programs as the university's full-time Sports Information Director.
Medina's appointment marks a defining moment for the program as it enters a high-growth era for collegiate men's volleyball. Her extensive familiarity with the university's athletic culture, paired with her tactical experience on the sidelines, prepares her to seamlessly step into the head coaching role. This leadership transition ensures the Badgers will bring a highly focused, strategic approach to the court as they navigate an increasingly rigorous regional schedule.
"Natalia joined the Badgers in the Fall of 2020 prior to my start as Athletic Director. Watching Nat throughout her playing career, in which she was a star for the Badgers, and as a student, I have always been impressed with the preparation and thoughtful way in which she approached each match," remarked the VTSU Johnson Athletic Director, Greg Eckman. "Always a team player, Nat would do whatever the team required for success, and due to Nat and her teammates, the Badgers had some of the winningest seasons with Nat on the roster."
Medina brings an unparalleled depth of institutional knowledge and student leadership to her dual appointment, dating back to her undergraduate career across both NVU Johnson and VTSU Johnson. A decorated five-year pillar of the women's volleyball program, Medina was a NCAA Woman of the Year nominee and a prominent campus leader. Her extensive involvement spanned executive roles within the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the Student Government Association (SGA), alongside commitments in Student Activities, the Admissions office, and as an Athletic Department intern.
Her transition into coaching serves as a natural extension of that leadership blueprint. Over the past few seasons, Medina has meticulously prepared for this head coaching window by serving the Badgers as a team manager, student assistant, and assistant coach.
"Nat's transition into the coaching world started as many: a manager, student assistant, assistant coach, and now Head Coach," noted the Athletic Director. "Nat has had the incredible opportunity to learn and grow as a coach under Dongping Fang, who is the Women's Head Coach at VTSU Johnson and had been the Men's Head Coach prior to this opportunity to grow the volleyball program. I'm looking forward to watching Nat develop her own style of play and coaching as she is promoted."
The promotion comes at a pivotal competitive juncture for the men's program. The Badgers currently compete in the nationally elite New England Volleyball Conference (NEVC) and are slated to begin competition in the Conference of New England (CNE) starting this season. With men's volleyball experiencing a rapid surge in popularity both regionally and across the NCAA landscape, Medina's localized expertise is seen as a crucial asset.
"With the growth of Men's Volleyball Nationally and especially in New England, I believe now's the time for the Badgers to make this move, and I'm excited to see what Coach Natalia Medina brings to the table," Eckman added. "With Nat and her staff's ability to focus solely on the Men's team and Dongping on the Women's team, I believe the sky is the limit for VTSU Johnson Volleyball."
In her concurrent role as Sports Information Director, Medina will leverage her multidimensional campus background to champion the achievements of all VTSU Johnson student-athletes, enhancing the public profile of the entire athletic department.