OKLAHOMA CITY – After conducting a thorough search to find a new head volleyball coach, the Mid-America Christian University athletic department has found their man.
MACU Athletic Director Marcus Moeller announced on Wednesday that the Evangels will begin the 2019 campaign under the direction of Kevin Fitzgibbon.
"Kevin is coming in during a crucial time for our program," Moeller noted. "I'm really excited to have him on board and look forward to watching the growth of the program under his leadership."
Fitzgibbon, a 2003 graduate of Simpson University in Redding, California was an outside hitter on the men's volleyball team until the program was disbanded following the 2001 season. He pursued a degree in Theology, and after college, he joined the Army and served for five years as a combat medic.
He also has experience as an ER technician, and as a project manager for church plant media, but he maintained a passion for volleyball.
In the July of 2017 and again in 2018, Fitzgibbon served as a clinic assistant at the Pat Powers volleyball camp where he helped girls improve on their fundamental skills while also assisting in improving the education and implementation of clinic sessions.
In 2018, he joined Wolfpack Volleyball Club as a coach. There, he focused on fostering an environment of cohesion to develop leadership skills in his players. He handled practices and game development while cultivating positive relationships within his teams and facilitating a spirit of sportsmanship.
"I am humbled and honored," said Fitzgibbon about the chance to coach at MACU. "My goal is to impart a genuine love for the game, and to support my players in a cooperative relationship."
"I have a job to do," he continued, "just as they do. My job is to help them get better by cultivating an atmosphere that promotes growth, not fear of failure. Volleyball is a game. It should be fun. Practice should be challenging but not something players dread. I believe players should be able to look forward to it because it is helping them to achieve their goals."
