Phelps Named Volleyball Coach
St. Catherine University Athletic Director Eric Stacey has announced that Corey Phelps will be taking over as head coach for the Wildcats volleyball program. Stacey noted that "Coach Phelps brings a great deal of collegiate volleyball expertise to the Wildcats program, and I am confident he can help the team continue to improve at the conference, regional and national level in the coming years."
Phelps, who has been coaching collegiate volleyball for the past 12 seasons, joins the Wildcats after spending the past two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin River Falls (UWRF). While at UWRF Phelps not only assisted with the team's on-court training, but was also active in recruiting for the Falcons and was an instructor at their summer volleyball camps. With Phelps assistance the Falcons have gone from 8-26 record in 2007 to to a 20-15 record this past season. At River Falls Phelps also served the campus community as a Health Education Coordinator.
Prior to his stay at UWRF, Phelps spent four seasons as the top assistant coach at UM-Morris and six years as an assistant coach at St. Mary's University in Winona. At both institutions he also worked with the schools intramural sports programs.
Phelps played collegiate volleyball at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. While at Graceland Phelps was team captain and earned all-conference honors from his outside hitter position. He also helped the team qualify for the national tournament, where they finished second. Corey graduated from Graceland in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Health. He received his Master of Arts Degree in Human Development from St. Mary's University in 2010.
With an eye on running his own program Coach Phelps noted that "I'm very excited about the opportunity to take the volleyball program to the next level. I am grateful to Eric and the rest of the athletic staff and St. Kate's community for so graciously welcoming me. I'm confident that St. Catherine University will continue to be proud of its volleyball program."
Phelps will be starting at St. Kate's at the end of June with the team's first tournament scheduled for September 3rd and 4th at St. Mary's University.