DCCC adds trio to Athletic Department

(Courtesy of Dodge City Community College)

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The Dodge City Community College Board of Trustees approved three hires for the athletic department in their monthly meeting on April 29, 2020. The three new staff members are Sports Information Director Joe Penno, Assistant Volleyball Coach Jordan Vail, and Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach John “Koy” Garmrath.

Penno will fill a position that has been vacant since September in the Conq Athletic Department when former SID Josh VanValkenberg-Gernert departed for Minot State University. Penno comes to Dodge City after a year as the assistant men’s basketball coach at Pratt Community College. Prior to his time at PCC Penno was an assistant men’s basketball coach at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, MO. Penno started his career in athletics at a student assistant football coach at Centre College in Danville, KY. Penno received his bachelor’s degree in Finance and Economics from Centre College, then went on to earn his master’s degree in sports administration from Central Methodist University.

Jordan Vail joins Head Coach Jordan Bruere in the Conquistador Volleyball program as an entire new staff for the 2020-21 season. Vail comes to Dodge City after a year as the assistant volleyball coach at Western Texas College in Snyder, TX. Vail served one year as the assistant for WTC. Prior to jumping into coaching, she was a four year NCAA Division I Volleyball players. The San Antonio native started her career at Baylor University and eventually transferred to the University of North Dakota for her final three seasons. Vail earned her bachelor’s degree from University of North Dakota and is currently working on her master’s degree from Tiffin University in Ohio.

The final addition to the athletic staff is John “Koy” Garmrath who is coming to DCCC Basketball with head coach Jake Williams. Last year Garmrath served as an assistant coach for Williams at University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie where they put together a 27-4 record and a NJCAA Region X Championship. Before his time at USC-Salk, Garmrath was a program assistant for a year at Arkansas State University after serving two years as a graduate assistant for the Red Wolves Basketball program. During his undergrad education, he served as a student manager for the University of Arkansas under Coach Mike Anderson. Garmrath received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas in Physical Education, he also earned his master’s degree from Arkansas State University in Kinesiology.

All of the new staff members will start their duties with Dodge City Community College during the month of May.