Valparaiso University Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera has announced the hiring of Jonathan Haas as the head coach of the Crusader women’s golf program.

Haas previously served as the head girls and boys golf coach at Crown Point High School in Crown Point, Ind. He began coaching Crown Point’s girls program in 2010 and enjoyed seven successful seasons, including sectional championships in 2010 and 2011. He also guided the Bulldogs to the IHSAA State Finals in 2014, the program’s first state appearance in 23 years.

Haas added boys head coaching duties at Crown Point in 2012 and led the Bulldogs to a string of four consecutive sectional titles from 2013-2016. He was named the Post-Tribune newspaper’s Boys Golf Coach of the Year in both 2013 and 2015. In addition, Haas received the Indiana High School Golf Coaches Association Distinguished Service Award this year.

“We’re excited to have an individual with the demonstrated success of Coach Haas joining the Valpo Athletics family,” LaBarbera said. “His accomplishments with the golf programs at Crown Point High School and his connections to the Indiana golf community will be a great asset to our team. The enthusiasm he demonstrated in our conversations indicates he will be a great addition to our department.”

Haas said his goal is to elevate the program to the top of the Horizon League as quickly as possible by recruiting quality student-athletes.

“Valparaiso University is a tremendous academic and athletic institution,” he said. “When I started talking to people about the job, everyone raved about it. It’s a tremendous place and you can’t say enough good things about it.”

Haas’ connections across the state stem from his role as the All-State Chair for the Indiana High School Golf Coaches Association.

“I’ve got inroads to coaches of all the top programs in the state,” he said. “Developing those relationships with the head coaches and programs will serve as a great recruiting tool.”

Haas’ diverse coaching background also includes varsity head coaching stints with Hammond girls basketball (2006-2007), Hebron girls basketball (2004-2006), Hammond cross country (2006-2008), Hebron cross country (2005-2006), Calumet cross country (2003-2004) and Hammond softball (2006-2008). He has also served as an assistant coach in basketball, volleyball and track and field.

Haas, who becomes the third head coach in program history, teaches math for Crown Point Community Schools and is in his 17^th year as an educator. He graduated from Plymouth State College in Plymouth, N.H. in 2000 with a degree in childhood studies.

“I really appreciate the Crown Point community for helping me develop as a coach,” Haas said. “They’ve helped put me in a position where I have the opportunity to lead a fantastic Division-I program.”