Cornell College’s director of athletics and head volleyball coach Jeff Meeker has been honored with the 2024 Midwest Conference Meritorious Service Award.
The award recognizes individuals for significant contributions and outstanding service to the MWC and its member institutions.
“It’s been just over two decades since Jeff took the reins of the Cornell women’s volleyball program, and quickly guided the team from near the bottom of its athletics conference to the middle of the pack,” said MWC Executive Director Heather Benning. “By the time the Rams rejoined the Midwest Conference in 2012, he’s been a seasoned jockey with a team of exceptional pedigree who has yet to give any other ‘horse in the race’ a chance to lead.”
Meeker is Cornell’s winningest coach in any sport, compiling a 418-255 record in 22 seasons on the Hilltop. A six-time MWC Coach of the Year, the Mount Vernon, Iowa, native has amassed 240 victories since 2012, highlighted by a glossy 107-4 mark in conference competition.
Meeker has directed the Rams to a conference-record 11 consecutive MWC regular-season championships. The program has qualified for the NCAA Division III Tournament 10 times over the past 13 years and hosted its first-ever NCAA Regional last November. The 2023 team was ranked as high as No. 14 in the AVCA Top 25 Poll.
Since 2012, the Rams have claimed 14 all-American players and fielded the MWC Player of the Year eight times. Cornell has earned the AVCA Academic Team Award in 18 of the past 21 seasons under Meeker’s leadership.
The nomination came from Cornell’s Vice President for Enrollment Management Wendy Beckemeyer and Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance and Head Softball Coach Jackie Yoder. They presented Meeker with the award at the Rammy’s May 6.
“As our winningest coach, Jeff is known across the country for outstanding women’s volleyball success, as well as being a collaborator in the conference and on campus,” Beckemeyer said. “He recruits students first, who are interested in earning a degree and having an exemplary athletic career. Jeff champions our athletic department with a ‘leaders eat last’ mentality. Jeff is an outstanding leader and very deserving of this recognition and award from the Midwest Conference.”
A 1993 graduate of MWC member Knox College, Meeker has served as Cornell’s Director of Athletics since July 2022. He oversees all operations within Cornell Athletics, which includes 20 intercollegiate sports.
Meeker has held roles on the MWC Championships Committee and as Chair of the Volleyball Sport Committee. He was inducted into the Mount Vernon High School Hall of Fame in Fall 2023.