Release courtesy of Pratt Institute Sport Information Department
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Pratt Institute Director of Athletics and Recreation Walter Rickard has announced the hiring of Gary Preston Jr. as the next head coach of the Cannoneers men's and women's volleyball teams. Preston brings 15 years of experience to Clinton Hill, having worked with both men and women at the club, collegiate and international levels — including stints across NCAA Divisions I, II and III.
"We're excited to welcome Gary to Pratt. He brings a wide range of coaching experience, but what stood out most throughout the search was his genuine commitment to developing student-athletes and building a program the right way," Rickard said. "Gary understands what Division III athletics is all about, and he has the energy, passion and work ethic to help our volleyball program continue to grow."
Preston's collegiate coaching résumé spans multiple standout programs. He served as head women's volleyball coach at Mercy University, guiding the team to a top-three conference finish and a berth in the conference playoffs during the 2021–2022 season. As assistant women's volleyball coach at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, he helped lead the team to the 2018–2019 Heartland Conference Championship, an appearance in the NCAA Regional Tournament and a 21–12 overall record. Earlier in his career, as an assistant coach for the Hunter College men's volleyball team, he helped guide the program to a No. 10 national ranking in NCAA Division III, an NCAA Elite Eight appearance and an outstanding 28–7 overall record.
Most recently, Preston served as head girls' varsity volleyball coach at Rutgers Preparatory School in Somerset, New Jersey, where his teams consistently competed among the state's best. In 2024, he led the program to a finalist finish in the New Jersey Non-Public B State Championship. In 2025, his team captured the Skyland Conference Raritan Division Championship and the NJISAA Prep "B" Volleyball Tournament title while finishing with an impressive 23–4 overall record.
Beyond the scholastic and collegiate levels, Preston has continued to grow the game through professional and high-performance coaching. He founded and serves as head coach of a women's semi-professional team in the Volleyball League of America (VLA), leading the program to qualify for and compete at the VLA National Championships in summer 2025. He also serves as a coach with Gold Medal Squared, one of volleyball's premier coach and athlete development organizations.
Internationally, Preston served as an assistant coach for the London Orcas in the United Kingdom's Super 8s League, helping the club finish among the league's top four and advance to the National Cup semifinals.
As a student-athlete, Preston played setter and served as team captain at New Jersey City University, where he earned his bachelor's degree. He holds a master's degree in sports management with a concentration in coaching from Rome City Institute in Italy, where he also contributed to the development of the school's men's and women's volleyball program and helped athletes secure professional playing opportunities abroad.
"I'm honored to join Pratt Institute and grateful to the mentors and athletes, at home and abroad, who shaped my career and prepared me for this moment," Preston said. "I'm excited to build a competitive, athlete-centered program that reflects the creativity and discipline the Pratt community is known for."
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The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising six institutions in a four-state area - Gwynedd Mercy and Immaculata Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary and Saint Elizabeth Universities in New Jersey, Marymount University in Virginia, and Pratt Institute in New York.
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