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People SearchFind an individual who either played a sport or was a member of a support group. Search by last name by clicking on the first letter of the person's last name.
Mr. Jonathan Newman-Gonchar
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Home Phone: 337-482-1353 Volleyball: Jonathan Newman-Gonchar Brings New Attitude Author: Heather Warren, Vermilion Sports Editor, June 28, 2006 Issue “I take personal pride in error, detection and prevention from the standpoint of a teacher and the subject is volleyball. My role as a coach is to teach lessons that extend far beyond the gym.” These were the words of Jonathan Newman-Gonchar, the new assistant coach for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns volleyball team. The 23-year-old Claremont, Calif., native takes his job seriously, acting more as a teacher than a volleyball coach. �I approach the game from the standpoint of a teacher, and the players are my students. With every opportunity, I coach from the standpoint that I am a personal instructor of volleyball,” Newman-Gonchar said. Newman-Gonchar, whose office is adorned with Ragin’ Cajun colors and pride, makes it his goal to ensure that every student he coaches graduates and takes the lessons they learn on the court on with them in life. �I take personal pride in that every student-athlete that plays for me graduates, and with that I take even more pride in the fact that they will want to give back to, and support, the sport that helped make them into the people they have become,” he said. Newman-Gonchar also said he practically jumped at the opportunity to coach Division-I volleyball, and after having a �great conversation” with head coach Amy Kraljev, he knew he would be a perfect fit. Kraljev said she knew Newman-Gonchar was the perfect addition to help her team be successful before they even met. �I knew he was the right one just by talking on the phone,” Kraljev said. �We had many of the same goals and the same coaching philosophies that would help achieve those goals.” Newman-Gonchar said that he cannot wait for volleyball season to start and is excited about his team’s work ethic and desire to win a tournament title. �This team has not made it to the Sun Belt Conference tournament in three years, and with that brings a sense of determination from the players that can only come from desperately wanting to achieve a goal with every fiber in your body,” he said. �When you have players with that focus, coaching becomes a truly enjoyable experience!” Originally from Southern California, Newman-Gonchar’s dark features, tanned skin and tousled curls make him look like he would be found on a Pacific beach rather than in a volleyball gym. Still, Newman-Gonchar has begun to make Lafayette his home. �Lafayette is a wonderful city full of diversity, great food, great music and most importantly, great people. I love it!” Newman-Gonchar exclaimed. �The Cajun lifestyle is unique and takes a little getting used to, yet I am finding that I enjoy it more and more every day.” Newman-Gonchar graduated cum laude from Northern Arizona University in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences. Newman-Gonchar has held positions as an assistant coach at numerous universities and high schools, including his most recent stint as first assistant coach of the men’s volleyball team at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia. Growing up, Newman-Gonchar played various sports, including baseball and volleyball. He even spent a year on the wrestling team at Claremont High School. In the end, he found his passion in volleyball, which he still plays whenever he gets the chance. �I still play beach and grass [volleyball] tournaments as much as possible,” Newman-Gonchar explained. Newman-Gonchar said he is glad he could bring his love and passion of volleyball to the players at UL Lafayette. He said he feels at home in Lafayette and knows this is the university where he belongs. �The university atmosphere is very laid-back, whether it is the way I see students interacting or from the fact that there are alligators in a pond in the middle of campus,” he quipped. �It seemed like this university was a great place for a Southern Californian!” Cajuns Welcome New Assistant to Coaching Staff for 2006 Monday, April 10, 2006 LAFAYETTE � Louisiana�s Ragin� Cajuns athletics family added a new member on Monday when Jonathan Newman-Gonchar was introduced as the volleyball team�s new assistant coach. Newman-Gonchar replaces Summer Campbell who left the program during the offseason. His hiring is pending approval from the University of Louisiana Board of Trustees. Newman-Gonchar spent the previous three seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at Northern Arizona the past two seasons under former UL coach Chris Campbell. More recently he was working with the Thompson Rivers University men�s volleyball team in Kamloops, B.C., Canada. In his new position, Newman-Gonchar will assist UL head coach Amy Kraljev with drills, help plan practices and train the Cajuns setters. A native of Claremont, Calif., he played prep volleyball at Claremont High School before attending Northern Arizona. While at NAU he was a member of the men�s club volleyball program. Newman-Gonchar was involved in the volleyball scene of Flagstaff, Ariz., while working at NAU. He worked with setters on the High Altitude Volleyball Club as an assistant coach and eventually head coach and also spent time with Flagstaff High School�s girl�s volleyball team. Newman-Gonchar has worked several volleyball camps including the UCLA Summer Camps from 1998-2000. In the summers he also returned to Claremont to work with the CHS boy�s volleyball team. Newman-Gonchar received his bachelor�s degree in health sciences from Northern Arizona in December 2005. Originally published April 10, 2006
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