MONROE, La. - ULM Athletics Director Bobby Staub announced Friday
the hiring of Ernest Vasquez as the new volleyball head coach at ULM.
Vasquez's hire is pending final approval by the University of Louisiana System
Board of Supervisors.
"I am excited to have this opportunity to become the head coach of the
Warhawks," Vasquez said. "This program has a lot of promise and potential for
the future, especially playing in the tough Sun Belt Conference."
Vasquez takes over the program after two seasons as an assistant coach at Kent
State. Under his guidance, three Kent State players earned all-Mid American
Conference honors, while five players earned academic all-conference
distinction.
"We are excited to have Ernest on board to
lead our volleyball program," Staub said. "I am confident he will do a great
job both on and off the court."
Prior to joining the KSU staff, he spent two seasons at Virginia Commonwealth
University. In 2006 he served as the director of operations and handled various
administrative duties, including travel arrangements, budgeting and scheduling.
The Rams promoted Vasquez to an assistant coach
prior to the 2007 season.
"I want this program to not only be a fighter on the court, but to be one of
the best academic teams in the conference," Vasquez said. "If we are strong in
the classroom, it will lead to a disciplined style of play on the court."
He joined the VCU staff after spending the
2005 season as an assistant coach at Arizona Western College. The Matadors were
one of the top teams in the country during his one-year stint as they reached
as high third in the National Junior College Athletic Association national
rankings.
He began his coaching career as an assistant coach for five seasons at Phoenix
College (1999-2004). Vasquez led the Bears to a third-place finish at the 1999
Junior College Division II National Tournament and coached 12 all-region
players.
Vasquez, a Phoenix, Ariz., native was a
setter on his St. Mary's High School team and also played as a civilian on the
Air Force club team.
In addition to his coaching experience, Vasquez has served as a referee for the
Junior National Indoor Tournaments the last 13 years and on the AVP Pro Beach
Tour the last five years.
Vasquez earned a bachelor's degree in fine art from Arizona State in 2003 and
received an associate's degree in massage therapy from Arizona Western in 2006.
