Phoenixville, PA — The University of Valley Forge (UVF) announces that Kyle Mariano, Head Coach of the men's volleyball program, will be stepping down from his position to accept a new role as Head Boys' Volleyball Coach and Physical Education Teacher at Timothy Christian School in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Coach Mariano's departure marks the end of a meaningful and impactful era at UVF — one that he helped create from the ground up. In 2021, Kyle was hired to start the men's volleyball program at Valley Forge, becoming the inaugural head coach in the program's history. Through vision, passion, and tireless work, he laid the foundation for a program that is now firmly established within the CSAC/United East and NCAA Division III landscape.

During his tenure, Coach Mariano led the Patriots to their first-ever United East playoff appearance in 2025, finishing with a consecutive winning season. Under his leadership, the team earned multiple All-CSAC and United East selections, and his players were recognized for their success not only on the court but also in the classroom and the community.

"Kyle took on the challenge of building a program from scratch — and did it with excellence, energy, and a genuine heart for his players," said UVF Athletic Director Gretchen LeVan. "His legacy at Valley Forge will always be marked by his commitment to student-athlete development and the culture he helped shape. We are incredibly proud of him and excited for what lies ahead."

Beyond the wins and milestones, Coach Mariano was known for creating a Christ-centered team environment that emphasized leadership, accountability, and spiritual growth — a mission that aligned deeply with UVF's core values.

"I will never forget my time coaching here at UVF. God has truly done so many amazing things since I've been here and I'm just glad to have been a part of it and share it with my students, coaches, and coworkers and of course my family. From starting the program back in 2020 during the pandemic to then seeing its elevation to an NCAA varsity sport in 2021, we've had so many breakthroughs as a team and as individuals, breaking our own records and improving with each year, even making playoffs and having "winning" records, seeing a multitude of awards come in- all for the glory of God," said Coach Mariano. "The most valuable thing for me has been the relationships with the students and coaches, growing together and seeing each student grow both on the court and off the court, and being able to serve them and enjoy life together during a key time in their lives. I want to thank God for using us and moving through our program for His glory, while I was here - all the glory to Him."

As he steps into his new role at Timothy Christian School, Coach Mariano leaves behind a program that is built to grow, thanks to the strong foundation he laid. The University of Valley Forge will begin a national search for its next head men's volleyball coach immediately.