BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Bridgewater State University Director of Athletics, Dr. Marybeth Lamb, announced today that Tony daSilveira Jr. has been promoted to the position of head coach of the women’s volleyball program.

DaSilveira, who joined the Bears’ coaching staff as an assistant in 2018, replaces Richie Gomes Jr. who resigned earlier this year.

“Having Coach daSilveira take over the reins of the women’s volleyball program is a great move for Bridgewater State,” said Lamb. “Tony knows this team well and they are well-positioned to continue their rise through the MASCAC.”

“Tony brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and we are fortunate to have him in this role,” Lamb added. “I am confident that under Tony’s guidance, BSU will once again be a leading contender in the MASCAC.”

DaSilveira is a 2004 graduate of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School where he played four seasons on the Bears’ boys volleyball team. Since 2012, Tony has served as an assistant coach and head JV coach for the boys volleyball team at his alma mater. The varsity squad is currently ranked #1 in Massachusetts for 2019.

Tony has also worked for the Max Performance Volleyball Club out of Taunton where he has served as the head coach for the MPVC U18 girls elite team as well as the program director for the beach volleyball program.

From 2010 to 2015, Tony was the head coach for the U18 girls club team for the Coastal Volleyball Club, and was an assistant coach for the boys club team at the Blast Volleyball Club from 2014 to 2015.

“I am very thankful to the athletic department for giving me the opportunity to head coach this program,” said daSilveira. “I am very excited to work with the members of the team and the recruits coming in this season. I believe that myself and coaching staff have the ability to get this program back into a successful and competitive program.”

“I am proud to be named the head coach and I want my athletes to be proud of what they have done when they leave this program,” daSilveira added. “I intend to continue working hard for this team and giving it everything I have.”

Tony presently resides in his hometown of New Bedford with his wife, Tara, and two children, Olivia and Parker.