Blackhawks Women’s Volleyball Suspends Competition for 2014-2015 Season

07/21/2014

West Burlington, IA - Southeastern Community College Women’s Volleyball program will suspend competition for the 2014-2015 season while it continues to look for a new head coach.

Joan Williams, SCC Vice President of Student Services, explains the College has not secured a coach suitable for the post.

After Head Coach Gary Anderson left SCC to take the same position at Iowa Central Community College late February, SCC immediately began searching for a new coach. Even after two rounds of interviews, applicants didn’t meet college expectations.

“We know the demands of building and maintaining a high-quality program and we just couldn’t find the right fit,” says Williams.

Melissa Flores, SCC Women’s Athletic Director continues that SCC knew it would be difficult to find a coach given the time of year. “Time wasn’t on our side to find someone to take over the program. Suspending competition for the 2014-2015 season was the most practical option.”

Flores adds that going without a head coach since February, the Blackhawks essentially missed out on an entire recruiting season as well. “Even if we hired a coach today, filling a roster with players and preparing them for the season with just four weeks before the first match would be daunting.”

The Blackhawks currently have three student-athletes on its official roster. Per NJCAA rules, they can choose to attend SCC this school year and return to the roster next season without losing their eligibility to play, or they may transfer to another college.

“It’s their decision whether they want to be released to participate in another program or to stay at SCC. We will honor their decision either way,” explains Flores.

College officials are hopeful to have the new coach onboard by December.

Flores sees this is as chance to reboot the program. “Now we won’t be rushed to fill the position and can focus on finding the right person. It’s a great opportunity for an incoming coach. They’ll have time to come in and set up the program the way they want and focus on recruiting and building a team.”

SCC has had a number of excellent student-athletes come through its program. It regularly achieved high levels of success in the classroom and on the court.  Past players and teams have been named Academic Team of the year, Academic All-Americans, All-Americans. 

“My heart goes out to the ladies on the roster who won’t be able to continue this tradition of a quality program for the upcoming season, but this decision is what’s best for the program,” says Flores.

For more information about Blackhawk Athletics, contact Melissa Flores at (319) 208-5122 or mflores@scciowa.edu.