MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE’S ILIDA MEDERO NAMED
2004 TACHIKARA/AVCA TWO-YEAR COLLEGE
NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), in conjunction with Tachikara USA, Inc, is proud to announce that Ilida Medero of Miami-Dade College has been selected as the 2004 Tachikara/AVCA Two-Year College National Coach of the Year.

Medero led Miami-Dade (32-0) to it sixth National Junior College Athletic Association Division I National Championship on Nov. 24 by defeating Salt Lake Community College 3-1. The Lady Sharks won their other five national titles under her direction in 1990, 1992, 1999, 2001 and 2002. Miami-Dade has won the Florida Community College Activities Association (FCCAA) state title and the FCCAA Southern Conference title for 15 straight years.

Medero has compiled a 552-64 record in 17 years at the helm of Miami-Dade. The Lady Sharks have competed in the NJCAA Championship on 15 consecutive occasions and have played in the championship match 11 times. After collecting an 18-36 record in her first two years, Medero led the team to a 44-0 season in 1990 and Miami-Dade’s first NJCAA Championship title.

She has been the FCCAA Coach of the Year every season since 1990. Medero has mentored 24 NJCAA All-Americans, including the 2004 FCCAA Player of the Year and the NJCAA Tournament Most Valuable Player Keila Oliviera.

Tachikara will formally present the Tachikara/AVCA National Coach of the Year award on Dec. 16 in Long Beach, Calif. The Tachikara/AVCA Coach of the Year and Victory Club Awards banquet is held in conjunction with the 2004 AVCA Annual Convention.