KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Western Michigan University head volleyball coach Colleen Munson, who will be entering her 20th year with the program next season, has signed a new five year contract with the school.
“I am thankful to our Athletic Director, Dan Bartholomae, and President, Dr. Ed Montgomery, for what they have entrusted to me in leading the WMU volleyball program,” coach Munson said. “I’m incredibly honored to be the head coach of this team and to lead these women as student-athletes and representatives of Western Michigan University. I’m thankful as well for the support of my family, our team, staff, and their families, as well as our department and the Bronco volleyball community. Over twenty years ago, I told my husband that this was a dream job for me, and it continues to be that and more!”
“Colleen is the winningest coach in our history and is coming off of one of the most historic seasons of any of our programs,” Athletic Director Dan Bartholomae said. “Her athletic accomplishments are unmatched and an impressive representation of the best WMU has to offer. However, what I appreciate most about Colleen is her ability to connect as a leader and mentor to so many of our student-athletes, staff and coaches. She is selfless in serving our department and we are all indebted to her leadership. This is truly a great day to be a Bronco!”
The all-time winningest coach in program history, Munson is coming off of a 31-3 campaign this past fall, Western Michigan’s first 30-plus win season since 1983, which saw her collect the Mid-American Conference and the AVCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year awards. The Broncos went a perfect 18-0 in league play to win the Regular Season conference title and become the first team to go undefeated in the MAC since 2014. WMU then hosted and won the 2023 Mid-American Conference Volleyball Championship to punch its ticket to the 2023 NCAA Volleyball Championship. The Brown and Gold upended No. 7 seed Auburn in straight sets in the first round for their first NCAA Tournament victory since 2008.
Under Munson’s leadership, Western Michigan has captured six MAC West Division titles, two outright MAC Regular Season titles (2008, 2023), two MAC Tournament titles (2014, 2023) and earned four NCAA Tournament berths (2008, 2011, 2014, 2023). In addition to this season’s first-round victory, Munson guided the Brown and Gold to the Sweet Sixteen of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.
The Broncos have racked up the accolades both on and off the court during her tenure in Kalamazoo. Under Munson, Western Michigan has won two MAC Player of the Year awards, five MAC Defensive Player of the Year awards, seven MAC Setter of the Year awards and seven MAC Freshman of the Year awards, as well as boasted 49 All-MAC performers. WMU student-athletes have also garnered recognition at both the regional and national levels under Munson, with seven recognized as All-Region performers and three earning All-American status.
(courtesy WMU Athletics)
Comments