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Knipe Named Head Coach for World Games
Seventh Year Coach Named Summer Coach for USA Volleyball
March 28, 2007 (courtesy of USA Volleyball)
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO-- USA Volleyball has named Long Beach State Men’s
Volleyball Head Coach Alan Knipe as its head coach for the World University
Games, which will be Aug. 8-18 in Bangkok, Thailand.
It will be Knipe’s second trip to the World University Games. In
1991, he traveled to Sheffield, England as a player; where the U.S. team
won the silver medal. Poland took the gold that year.
“I had a wonderful experience on and off the court in ’91
in Sheffield,” Knipe said. “It was definitely one of my top
volleyball memories.
“It’s a great tournament because it’s a showcase, like
the Olympics,” Knipe said. “There’s an athletes village
and camaraderie among all the athletes, not just your sport. It’s
an eye opener for college kids who have never experienced anything like
that.”
As a player, Knipe led Long Beach State to the NCAA finals in 1990 and
to the NCAA championship in 1991. He was named all-conference and all-America
in 1992. Knipe played for the U.S. Men’s National Team in 1992 and
’93 and went on to play for European club teams.
Knipe is in his seventh year at the helm of the 49ers. The 2004 AVCA
National Coach of the Year, Knipe has led the 49ers to six consecutive
trips to the MPSF Tournament, an appearance in the 2004 NCAA Championship
match three straight MPSF Tournament finals appearances (2004-2006).
Knipe eclipsed the 100-victory plateau on January 6 with a win over Cal
State Northridge. He currently stands at 121-65 through six years for
an impressive .651 winning percentage. Playing in the toughest men's volleyball
conference in the nation, the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF),
Knipe is 78-49 for a .614 winning percentage. In 1999, 2000, and 2001,
the 49ers won their division title in the MPSF.
From 1999-2006, Knipe has served as the head coach and director of the
USA Volleyball boys development camp.
“Alan has a very strong history of success in the MPFS (Mountain
Pacific Sports Federation), but has also competed at the World University
Games as a player and had a really great experience,” said U.S.
Men’s Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon. “We got a very good coach
for what we see as a very important program for the development of our
college-aged athletes.”
USAV officials have identified a strong group of current and former college
players (athletes one year out of college are still eligible) from which
to select the U.S. team.
Knipe’s assistant coaches have not yet been named.
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