Dordt College has announced the addition of men’s volleyball as an intercollegiate varsity sport, to begin play during the 2015-16 school year.
The men’s volleyball program will be the ninth varsity sport offered by Dordt College, joining the current offerings of: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer and track (indoor/outdoor).
“Adding men’s volleyball to our intercollegiate offerings has been an ongoing discussion for the past several years,” said Dordt College Athletic Director Glenn Bouma. “Our club team has been very active and there is a growing interest in men’s volleyball by incoming students. We’re excited about this opportunity to offer men’s volleyball in our athletic program.”
Tabbed to be head coach of the program is Chad Hanson. Hanson will continue to coach the women’s program, a position he has held since 2011. Hanson has guided the women’s program to an 81-49 record and a berth in the 2013 NAIA National Championship field.
“This is an exciting moment for Dordt College and our volleyball programs. We have seen a wonderful interaction between our women’s program and the men’s club teams these past two years with fan support, event infrastructure and our day to day operations. The men’s club coach Brian Hoekstra has propelled the guys into a nationally competitive program. This is an opportune time for Dordt to make this men’s varsity transition and I am honored and humbled to be called upon to lead these young men in their pursuit of Godly living through all they undertake on and off the volleyball court. Further, to continue on as the head women’s volleyball coach is of great importance to me as we strive to be a GPAC conference champion and an NAIA national contender,” said Hanson.
Dordt College has had an active club team competing in men’s volleyball since the 2013-14 school year and this year’s team has won three tournaments and is currently 17-0 in matches.
Men’s volleyball is an emerging sport within the NAIA and 26 teams are competing at the varsity level. Dordt is the seventh school in Iowa to add men’s varsity volleyball joining Morningside, Briar Cliff, Clarke, Graceland, Grand View and Saint Ambrose. All but Briar Cliff are already competing at the varsity level with Briar Cliff starting varsity play next season.
The men’s volleyball season begins in early January and is capped by the NAIA National Invitational in late April.