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Bret Stothart named the new women's volleyball coach at Western New England
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Bret
Stothart has been named the new women’s volleyball
coach at Western New England, athletics director Mike
Theulen announced Wednesday (Mar. 16). He succeeds
Kait Kozak who resigned after two seasons to
become the assistant women’s volleyball coach at Navy.
"We are extremely ecstatic to have Bret join our coaching staff,"
said Western New England athletics director Mike
Theulen. "He has enjoyed considerable success as a player
and coach, and we know he will do a terrific job coaching and
teaching our student-athletes."
Stothart, who starred in men's volleyball at nearby Springfield
College, begins his new position on March 28.
“Serving as head coach at Western New England offers an
excellent opportunity for me personally,” Stothart said.
“I’m looking forward to working with the impressive
student-athletes and building on the success of the
program.”
A native of Emmaus, Pennsylvania, Stothart served in a
similar position at Roger Williams University the past six seasons
compiling a 124-74 record for a 62.6 winning percentage.
RWU set a school record for winning percentage with a 29-6 (82.9)
mark in 2010, which included a perfect 10-0 mark in The
Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC). He was named TCCC
Coach-of-the-Year as the Hawks captured the conference championship
and participated in the NCAA Division III Championship for the
second straight season.
Stothart enjoyed an outstanding four-year career as a setter at
Springfield where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Sports
Management in 1998.
After leading SC to the Molten Division III National Championship
in 1997, he was selected the Volleyball magazine Division III
National Player-of-the-Year and earned All-American recognition as
a senior.
In addition, Stothart was the Pride’s Most Valuable Player
in 1997 and 1998, and the school’s Senior Male
Athlete-of-the-Year. He also excelled in the classroom where he was
a three-time GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-American from 1996-98.
Stothart graduated summa cum laude and made the Dean’s List
every semester at Springfield. He earned his Master of Business
Administration degree magna cum laude from Niagara University.
Prior to joining the Roger Williams staff, Stothart served as the
graduate assistant coach for the Division I women’s program
at Niagara and was an assistant coach for the men’s program
at Springfield for two seasons.
Stothart is a member of the American Volleyball Coaches and New
England Women’s Volleyball Associations. He is the
Communications Liaison for the NEWVA and serves as TCCC
representative on the NCAA Division III Ranking Committee.
