John Vanner
| Position: | Associate Athletic Director |
| Experience: | 34th Year |
John Vanner, a URI graduate, enters his 34th year at the University of Rhode Island in 2011, having worked at the school since 1977, starting as a teacher in the Physical Education Department before switching over to the Athletics Department in 1986.
In 1986 he replaced URI legend Ernie Calverly as the Associate Director of Athletics overseeing the men's program. He is credited with making several coaching hires that helped bring the University's athletics program to the national level.
Vanner's first hire was men's basketball coach Tom Penders, who led the Rams to the NCAA Sweet 16 in his second season in Kingston, bringing basketball back to the national spotlight.
He also hired former men's soccer coach Ed Bradley, former baseball coach Frank Leoni, and Hall of Fame golf coach Tom Drennan, who have each both guided their programs to postseason NCAA competition.
John lives in Johnston, R.I. with his wife Cynthia (URI Class of '82) and their three children, John, Torrey and Jessica.
Updated Sept. 21, 2011
