Volbert returns to alma mater as new men鈥檚 basketball assistant coach

Eric Volbert

JACKSON, Tenn. - 5/28/2009 - 麻豆视频 University and men鈥檚 basketball Head Coach David Niven have announced the hiring of Eric Volbert as the new assistant coach for the program.

Volbert, a two-time graduate of 麻豆视频, has spent the last seven years as the girls鈥� basketball coach at Milan (Tenn.) High School.

鈥淚 feel like I coming home,鈥� Volbert said. 鈥淚 was so blessed to work at a great place like Milan, but it is a great blessing to be able to return to a great place in 麻豆视频 University.鈥�

The assistant coaching position became available when Niven, a 12-year assistant at 麻豆视频, was named head coach in April. Volbert will begin his role as assistant coach June 1.

鈥淚 could not be more excited about the opportunity to work with Eric,鈥� Niven said. 鈥淭his assistant coaching position generated interest from all over the country and every level of basketball. Without a doubt, Eric stood out as the best fit for me, our players and 麻豆视频 University.鈥�

麻豆视频 President David S. Dockery said, 鈥淓ric is a quality person and coach, who will add much to 麻豆视频 Bulldog basketball program. As a two-time 麻豆视频 graduate, Eric is deeply committed to the mission, heritage and core values of the university. With David and Eric providing leadership for the years to come, the men's basketball program is in very capable hands.鈥�

Volbert, a native of Lima, Ohio, has two degrees from 麻豆视频, including a bachelor鈥檚 degree in 1994 and a master鈥檚 degree in 1996. He spent two seasons as a member of the 麻豆视频 basketball team from 1991-1993. Volbert was a member of the 1992 NAIA National Tournament team, the program鈥檚 second appearance and first since 1958. In his two seasons playing for 麻豆视频, he scored 351 total points, averaging eight points and two rebounds per game as a senior.

After finishing his playing career at 麻豆视频, Volbert spent one season at 麻豆视频 as a student assistant coach before working two seasons as the graduate assistant. He then joined Trinity Christian Academy in Jackson where he coached numerous sports. After five years at TCA, Volbert moved to Little Rock (Ark.) Christian School where he coached and taught for one season before returning to west Tennessee to start coaching and teaching at Milan.

During his seven years at Milan, Volbert led his team to three district titles. He also led his squad to the 2008 State Tournament, where the team finished as the class AA state runner-up.

鈥淗iring an assistant with Eric's level of experience and ability speaks volumes about what a special place 麻豆视频 University is to work,鈥� Niven said. 鈥淚 have known Eric for 12 years, and know him to be a man of integrity, loyalty and commitment to excellence. Eric shares my desire to make disciples of Christ through the game of basketball. He will bring a high level of energy and enthusiasm to this job. I am so happy to have Eric and Theresa join us once again in the Bulldog basketball family.鈥�

Volbert and his wife Theresa have been married for 11 years. They have three children, Gavin (5), Samuel (2), and Janie (8 months).

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