Grasso Promoted to Head Women’s Golf Coach
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–William Penn University Athletics Director Nik Rule is proud to announce that Victoria Grasso has been hired as Head Women’s Golf Coach.
Grasso, who is being promoted from Graduate Assistant, has been with the program since the summer of 2017. She helped guide William Penn to a Heart of America Athletic Conference title and NAIA Nationals appearance last year, which included its first-ever top-10 finish.
The Statesmen are currently ranked in the top 10 nationally and won four of their five events this fall.
“William Penn has an amazing culture and family atmosphere; it is truly a special place,” Grasso said. “It is an unbelievable honor and opportunity to be able to step into this role. We are looking forward to building upon not only the success that the team has had this fall, but also the success that was established years prior as the foundation was laid. The goal, though, is to not only excel as golfers and in the classroom, but also to become the best leaders and the best people that we can be in our interactions with each other and in the community.”
“We have so much talent and depth on this team with many strong leaders,” Grasso added. “Each member of our team has made an impact as we all strive to get better in some way, every single day. We are very excited for the future, to see what we are truly capable of. We expect to hit the ground running when it comes time to tee it up this spring.”
Grasso has a plethora of golf experience, having been employed at some of the top golf courses in Iowa, highlighted by assisting at numerous junior golf clinics and lessons. At Sugar Creek Golf Course, she also helped coordinate a regional Drive, Chip, and Putt Championship.
An intern with both the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup, Grasso played collegiately at the University of South Dakota where she earned four letters and competed in 35 tournaments. She was also a member of the USD Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
“As we were preparing for the transition and putting together a list of what we would be looking for in our next coach, we realized that she was right in front of us,” Rule said. “Coach Grasso is a true scholar of the game and has invested a great deal of time and effort in learning the technical components, while also having a deep understanding on the psychological side of producing effective results in competition. She has experience in teaching the game and developing players of all skill levels, knowledge that is vital when leading a high-achieving program.”
“Another special attribute that sets Coach Grasso apart is her commitment to building relationships and working towards creating an environment where the entire student-experience is taken into account every single day,” Rule added. “We look forward to working very close with her investing time, resources, and energy into her continued development as a leader. I am excited to see her grow.”
One of the most-decorated golfers in Iowa high school history while at Ankeny Christian Academy HS, Grasso won the Class 1A state crown three times and was runner-up once as well. She was also named the 2007, 2009, and 2010 Iowa Junior PGA Player of the Year. Grasso’s stellar career led her to be inducted into the Iowa High School Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Grasso will continue to work on her Master’s of Business Leadership degree at William Penn.
