Legendary Montgomery Academy (Alabama) Volleyball coaching legend Julie Gordon was among 24 high school coaches from across the country selected as 2023-24 National Coaches of the Year by the NFHS Coaches Association. Gordon recently announced her retirement after 46 seasons and 1,645 wins, including eight state championships.
The 2025 NCAA Convention continues this week, where all three divisions will gather for the annual event that includes education sessions, action on legislative proposals and celebrations to honor the achievements in college athletics.
Division I Council and the Division I Board of Directors continue to consider interim policy and legislative priorities regarding the class action cases settlement, which involved back damages and future benefits for Division I student-athletes.
Division II will hold division-specific education sessions on enrollment and roster management; fundraising and alternative revenue streams; staffing; adding sports; and NIL opportunities.
NCAA Women of the Year recognition of Top 30 honorees, including DII volleyball student-athlete London Fuller (Clarion, setter).
Save the date: February 5, 2025, marks the 39th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). We invite you to celebrate NGWSD in your community and to join the Women’s Sports Foundation as we Lead Her Forward in 2025.
Applications are now being accepted for the Women’s Sports Foundation Tara VanDerveer Fund for the Advancement of Women in Coaching grant. Inspired by legendary Stanford University women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer, this Fund honors her legacy by providing fellowships for women coaches in all collegiate sports.
AVCA Division III Men’s Player of the Week – begins Jan. 21
Senior athletes will be added to AVCA Boys High School All-America Watch List. Non-senior high school athletes will be featured on the AVCA High Risers List. Please nominate all of your deserving athletes to ensure they are recognized and we bring more attention to the sport!
Reminder that if your membership is not renewed before the expiration date, your account will enter EXPIRED status. This includes limited access to the AVCA website and services for up to one year. Note – Expired status members may NOT nominate for AVCA awards. If you still haven’t renewed after a year in expired status, you will not receive any AVCA member benefits until you rejoin.
Register for Align May 13-14, 2025 by January 20th and Save $100! Over the course of 1.5 days, attendees will experience a deeper understanding of how to effectively lead and grow a junior volleyball club in today’s competitive landscape. With plenty of networking opportunities and collaborative workshops, Align will foster new relationships and ideas that will drive success both on and off the court. Don’t miss it! Register by January 20th and Save $100!
Register for Beach Club Direction LIVE this Thursday at 1:00PM ET During this 45 minute discussion, JVA Beach Leads, Club Directors and Administrators share ideas, ask questions, and discuss important issues their beach program is facing. The discussion and content is driven by the attendees. Network with Directors across the country, listen, connect and learn from one another. All JVA members can attend. REGISTER HERE.
Latest educational content includes:
Arm Swing & Digging Drill Progression – Michael Bynon – Lakeside Volleyball Club (NY)
Minimizing Your Athletes’ Anxiety – Robert Schinke – Laurentian University
This week: “Happy New Year from Jaime Gordon – the AVCA Convention, NCAA Championship, and what is in store for 2025.” Tune in on Facebook January 15th at 2:00pm ET, or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Coaching Careers
NCAA Division I
Florida Gulf Coast University is pleased to announce that Thais Baziquetto-Allen has been named head coach for the volleyball program.
Belmont University announced the hiring of Fritz Rosenberg as head volleyball coach.
Jeff Hulsmeyerhas been named leader of the Wake Forest women’s volleyball program.
University of Pittsburgh has announced a contract extension for women’s volleyball head coach Dan Fisher. The 2024 AVCA National Coach of the Year is now set to lead the Panthers through at least the 2030 season.
NCAA Division II
Black Hills State University has announced that Grayson DuBose has been named as the new volleyball coach.
University of Indianapolis announced Haley Kindall was named head volleyball coach.
NCAA Division III
DeAnn Akins has been named the next head volleyball coach at Wartburg College.
Immaculata University announced the hiring of Josh Elliott as the Head Coach of Men’s Volleyball.
North Central College has announced the hiring of Kevin Kustura as head men’s volleyball coach.
NAIA
Michela Cunha named Head Volleyball Coach at Bethel University.
Truett McConnell University is excited to welcome Michael Shea as the new Head Men’s Volleyball Coach.
NJCAA
Hutchinson Community College has announced that Dayana Acevedo Trent has been named head coach of the Blue Dragon volleyball program.
