MOHAWK NAMES NEW WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL COACH

HAMILTON, Ont. - The Mohawk College Athletic Department is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Nicholson as the new Head Coach of the Women's Volleyball Team in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association.

Nicholson brings a wealth of volleyball experience to the Mountaineers, having coached for 34 years at various levels of the game. He is the former Head Coach of the University of Guelph Under 21 Junior Varsity Team and Assistant Coach for the Gryphons' Varsity Women's squad in the OUA. Nicholson guided numerous medal winning high school and club teams in Halton and Peel Regions as well as Waterdown. He also had success from 2000 to 2004 with teams in Vancouver.

"We are very excited to have Andy on board as the Women's Volleyball Coach this year, said Michelle Ball, Mohawk Director of Student Engagement and Athletics. "His depth of experience and knowledge of the game will make him a great addition to our team of coaches. I look forward to working with him."

Nicholson founded the highly successful Burlington Blaze club programme and has served as President, Head Coach and Technical Director during two lengthy stints with the Blaze.

"I'm really excited to be the new head coach of Mohawk, said Nicholson. "When I went to (Guelph) I was looking to the next step to gain more knowledge. I decided the OCAA's level of volleyball is where I really wanted to be. It's actually the pinnacle for me.”

Nicholson is well versed in Mohawk volleyball. He says the strength of the programme is its consistency over the years, with several medals in recent seasons.  He's researched the team and watched several Mohawk matches on tape. He also spoke to his predecessor, Sean Pellow, about the team. "I'm big on preparation,” quipped Nicholson, who also coached four Mountaineer players, Jennifer and Jessica Knowles, Lauren Aquilina and Julie Gagnon. He is also familiar with many of Mohawk's opponents, competing against them in club volleyball.

Andrew Nicholson

1977 – 1978    Assistant Coach Lord Elgin HS senior girls
1984 – 1987    Head Coach Burlington Clancy's Senior B Woman's Provincial Silver/Gold
1987 – 1989    Head Coach Lester B Pearson HS Senior Girls Halton Finalists
1989 – 1993    Head Coach Bishop Reding RCSS Senior Girls Halton Region Champions
1990 – 1991    Head Coach Peel Selects Club OVA Juvenile Provincial Silver Medallist
1992 – 1993    Head Coach Waterdown Raiders Club Juvenile Provincial Silver Medallist
1993 – 1996    Head Coach MM Robinson HS Senior Girls Halton Finalist twice
1993 – 2000    Founded Burlington Blaze Volleyball Club – Head Coach/Technical Director
2000 – 2004    Head Coach Vancouver Thunder VC 18U Provincial T2 Silver Medallist
2001 – 2002    Guest Coach University of British Columbia Volleyball camps
2002 – 2003    Guest Coach Volleyball BC 18U & 16U Provincial Team selection camps
2002 – 2004    Head Coach Point Grey HS Vancouver City Champions: 2002, 2003, 2004
2004 – 2005    Head Coach Blaze 18U Consolation Champions New Orleans Cajunland
2005 – 2006    Head Coach Blaze 17/18U Provincial T2 Silver Medallist
2007 – 2009    Assistant Coach University of Guelph Varsity Women's team
2008               Head Coach University of Guelph 21U Junior Varsity team
2006 – 2011    Head Coach numerous Blaze teams: 5th place finish 16U Eastern Nationals

Certifications:
NCCP Level 1 Basketball, Soccer, Gymnastics
NCCP Level 2 Volleyball
CVA Volleyball Referee

Source: Mohawk College