Bechard Elected AVCA President-Elect For 2009

Dec. 1, 2008

LEXINGTON, Ky. –

The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) has recently announced Kansas head volleyball coach Ray Bechard as the new AVCA President-Elect for 2009.

Bechard, the Jayhawks’ all-time winningest volleyball coach, will be responsible for conducting board meetings and will serve as a board liaison to the executive director and also as the general chair of the AVCA’s annual convention. Bechard served on the AVCA Board of Directors from 1992-98 during his tenure at Barton Community College.

“It’s exciting to once again become involved with the AVCA and its Board of Directors,” said Bechard. “The opportunity to work with the outstanding leadership of this organization at a time where our sport is experiencing so much growth is something I am really looking forward to.”

“When I saw this year’s slate of candidates, I knew the AVCA was going to benefit from continued strong leadership,” said Kathy DeBoer, AVCA executive director. “The number of you that participated in the election let me know you agreed. Congratulations to Ray Bechard… we look forward to working with you.”

All of the new positions will take effect January 1, 2009.

2009 AVCA Board of Directors

Elected Board Members:

– Beth Launiere, University of Utah – President

– Mary Wise, University of Florida – Past President

Ray Bechard, University of Kansas – President-Elect

– Mark Rosen, University of Michigan – NCAA Women’s Division I Representative

– Cody Hein, California State University, Chico – NCAA Women’s Division II Representative

– Becky Schmidt, Hope College – NCAA Women’s Division III Representative

– Trish Knight, Missouri State University-West Plains – Two-Year Colleges Representative

– Brenda Williams, Olivet Nazarene University – NAIA Representative

– John Speraw, University of California, Irvine – Men’s Representative

– John Sample, Texas Advantage Volleyball Club – Grassroots (Club) Representative

– Jodi Manore, Bedford (Mich.) High School – Grassroots (High School) Representative

– Karen Weatherington, Butler University – Assistant Coach Representative

Appointed Board members:

– Cecile Reynaud – Education and Publications Representative

– T.J. Meagher – Legislative Representative

– Deitre Collins-Parker, Cornell University – At-Large Minority Coach Representative

– Sandy Vong – At-Large Representative

– Awards Representative – Appointed by AVCA President