Program Outline:

Fall
The volleyball season begins about the second week in August with the first two-weeks devoted to training three times a day for preseason workouts.  Season play begins in late August and Pac-West conference playoffs are in mid-November followed by the NCAA II Regional and National Tournaments

Winter/Spring
Volleyball team members regroup during the month of January and begin weight/jump training and conditioning.  Players compete in collegiate play days as well as intramural and co-ed competitions.  Spring practices start in March and end at the end of April.  Interested students may also sign up for volleyball activity classes through the University.  Several players also compete in other athletic programs during the winter and the spring.

Volleyball at Western New Mexico University
Athletic participation at Western New Mexico is considered part of a student's education.  Those who compete on the University's athletic teams develop leadership skills, discipline and the ability to work in harmony with others.  We want to help the players consummate their dreams.

The philosophy of the Mustang volleyball program at WMNU is to be the vehicle to all each of the athletes' to be the best they can be, to reach the zenith of their volleyball and academic potential.  It is important that they feel good about what they have done.  They have a say in the decision-making process as far as where our program is going.  We are up front with our student-athletes so they understand the requirements and expectations of the program and the University.  It is important that we practice and compete intelligently, give 110% physically, and have fun with the game. 

The WNMU Mustang volleyball program is under the direction of third year coach Jim Callender whose overall record of 409-253 including 35-28 in his first 2 years at WNMU.  Callender, who was named NAIA Coach of the Year in 1995, lead the Peru State program to national prominence for five seasons.  A 30-11 record in 1995 and a 12th place finish at the NAIA Championships, are included in a career that has seen him coach at Memphis State, Western Oregon State, Saint Mary's University-Minnesota and Brigham Young, as well as USA Olympic volleyball camps/clinics in the summer.  He is presently the AVCA /NCAA II #24 All-time winning coach, and #16 Active winning coach.  Under his direction, the Mustangs' program will emerge as a serious conference competitor. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Describe the typical class size.

      Class sizes at Western typically range from 20 to 30 students, which allows for  more one-on-one instruction and extra help when needed.

Q: Describe your academic support program.  For example:  Study-hall  requirement, tutor availability, staff, class load, faculty cooperation.

      The WNMU volleyball program requires its players to participate in study hall,  depending on their year in school and their current grade point average.  There is  also a Learning Resource Center on campus that has tutoring available for all students in any academic area.  WNMU faculty are very supportive of athletics  and allow all players to make up any work missed due to trips or games.  We also have a program called early alert which monitors every athletes progress weekly. This program allows faculty, coaches, and student-athletes to work together in finding solutions to meet the academic goals of each individual.

Q: Describe the typical day for a student-athlete.

      Generally, classes are taken from 8am until 3pm.  Practice times are from 3pm until 6pm.  Study hall hours are logged throughout the day and evening. Most of our matches are over weekends, so when we travel we generally leave a full day prior to competition.  For longer trips (Hawaii and Alaska) we leave a day earlier and our stay there is longer.  Missed class time is arranged to be arranged before or made up with each athletes' instructors.  We do arrange study time on the trips also.  It is imperative that you maintain good  time-management skills especially during the season.
 

Q: Given the extensive travel of the volleyball team in the Pac West 
 Conference, how did the team do academically this past season?

      We were very proud of our players on and off the court.  The thirteen member  team had an overall G.P.A. of 3.2/4.0 and 9 of the players made the academic honor roll. 

Q: How did the team do on the court this past season?

      The volleyball program emerged as a contender in the Pac West Conference.We finished with an overall record of 15-15 and an 8-6 conference finish which landed us 4th overall out of 16 teams. We qualified for the Pac West Conference Championships held in Hawaii in November as well.

Q: Where are some of the places you travel to play?

      Our conference travels take us to Hawaii, Alaska and Montana each year.  In addition we travel to Seattle, Vancouver (BC), Phoenix, Texas, Colorado and California as well.

Q: Can you describe your teams' style of play?

      This season we ran a 5-1 swing offense where all players need to be able to attack  from a variety of positions.  Defensively, we vary depending on our opponents. Philosophically, our goal is to give 110%  physically and mentally and have a lot  of fun in practice and games.  If we meet that challenge, we will be successful.

Q: I really want to play at the highest level of volleyball.  Is playing in the
 NCAA II and the Pac West Conference going to allow me to do that ?

       The Pac West Conference and the NCAA II is extremely competitive. Our conference consists of several nationally and regionally ranked opponents as well as the 1998 NCAA II National Champions.  I am confident that our program and many others in the conference and outside the conference would be highly  successful at the NCAA I level ! 

Q: What is your off-season program like?

      The volleyball team essentially trains all-year long.  The NCAA allows us a 132
day season for the year.  What ever dates we do not use in the fall carry over to the spring.  We weight train all year long, although during the season it is a maintenance program and in the off-season our program consists of  weight training, plyometrics, cross-training and technical skill training.  In the spring we are involved for 8 hours per week and also participate in 4 spring tournaments and intramurals.

Q: What are the physical requirements each year?

      Each volleyball team member should be able to do the following at the beginning of each pre-season:
-run 1.5 miles in 12:29
-be able to jump 20"
-bench press 85% of your body weight one time
-chest pass a basketball 30ft.
-have body fat composition below 20%
 

Q: What are the residence halls like?

      We have three dormitories on campus for incoming students.  Ritch Hall is a  women's dorm which has double rooms with community bathrooms.  Eckles Hall  is a men's hall which has double rooms and suites.  The suites consist of a living  area and two bedrooms.  Centennial Hall is co-ed honors  dorm that consist of suites that have four bedrooms and two bathrooms each.  All halls are equipped  with television rooms and laundry facilities.

Q: Can I "redshirt" my first year?

      Generally, we do not have any redshirts in our program as we try to have everyone on  the team contribute on the court.  If there is an injury to a player that might not allow them to continue their season for medical reasons we would certainly look at that option.