But even the best wrestling athletes Harvard has ever seen point to Jay’s teachings, not the wins and championships, as what they carry beyond college.

“There aren’t many coaches in the sport who do as good of a job highlighting the life lessons and the values you can learn through the sport as [Jay] does,” said 2010 NCAA Wrestling National Champion J.P. O’Connor ’10, who returned to Harvard wrestling as an assistant coach after graduation.

A few flights of stairs above the wrestling rooms, Ogbechie dominated Ivy League opponents, registering 1154 kills in an illustrious four-year Crimson volleyball career. Although her impressive accomplishments are written in the Harvard record books, what sticks with her today are the lifelong principles she learned from Jennifer.

“I personally translate [what Jennifer taught me] to everything I do now,” Ogbechie said. “Even with work, [whether it’s] leading a team or being part of a team, it’s critical to have a sense of camaraderie or support…I think she taught us that early on without necessarily even having to say it.”

Likewise, Jennifer’s current players understand the expectations their coach has set out for them.

“Coach [Jennifer] has always cared a lot about us as people and players,” current co-captain Kristen Casey said. “[I’ve learned] from her that success means winning—and sometimes losing—with integrity, unity, and class. That mindset permeates the culture of our team.”

Any Harvard women’s volleyball player that has come through Jennifer’s program has seen how much each individual on the team means to her.

“She has built a program where teammates are more than inclusive, we are a family,” co-captain Natalie Doyle said. “Coach looks out for us as people and encourages our individual development in addition to helping us grow in our roles on the team…[She] has taught her players that they can conquer anything.”

A GROWING FAMILY

Along with their volleyball and wrestling squads, the Weisses now have their own children to look after. Both sons, Colby and Keegan, have roamed around the Malkin Athletic Center since they could crawl.

Being able to look after the kids at the MAC has not only made life logistically easier for the Weisses, but has taught Harvard players important life lessons, as well.

“When [our boys] come in, they look up to my team and [Jennifer’s] team,” Jay said. “I tell my guys, ‘You’re role models and when my children come into this room, you need to understand that they’re watching you.’ My guys like that. I see a lot of [them] spending time with my kids. I want them to be role models to them.”

To the Harvard athletes, it’s no coincidence that the Weiss’ greatest growth has come with raising their kids.

“I’ve seen their family and how he’s a good father,” Croy said. “He takes those values that he [maintains] as a father and applies them to the wrestling team. I think the Harvard wrestling team is just an extension of his family life and that’s why it’s such a good group.”

On the court a few floors above, Jennifer has altered her approach from the sideline over the years, and her players have taken her words to heart.