Head volleyball Coach Joe Houck will work on team commitment and enthusiasm
By Nic LaPonte
The retirement of a coach not only signals the end of an era, it is also an opportunity to take the team in a different direction, with a new coach and a fresh vision.
Volleyball Coach Joe Houck, formally of Western Oregon University, comes to the University of Portland with an impressive record of team building and conference success. After eight years of serving as a collegiate head coach, Houck has built a record of 131-76 and has left successful programs as his legacy at Western Oregon, Concordia and Eastern Washington University.
"Everything that I think it takes to be successful I feel like is here," Houck said regarding his recent move. "We're talking about a different type of education and mission here (than at Western Oregon).
Houck is currently deep into the player evaluations for next year's team. Although unable to comment on any roster decisions for next season due to NCAA rules, Houck did say that he won't be making any decisions until he finishes the evaluation process.
"Right now I'm going through my meeting with my team; the evaluation process will be lengthy," Houck said.
The end of the 2007 season brought with it change for the volleyball team. The season itself was full of surprises for the Pilots, with unexpected upsets often going hand in hand with unanticipated losses. The resignation of long-time coach Doug Sparks was the final surprise in an unpredictable season.
Sparks had been involved with the team for the last 12 years, serving first as an assistant from the '95 season to 2000, and then taking over as head coach until his departure this last season.
The team has, in some way or another, been under Sparks' guidance for enough time to completely change over the roster four times.
Coach Houck was able to speak freely of his goals for next year's season, however.
"I want us to be relevant in a positive way; I want the athletes to be expressive and for audiences to see that when they come to matches," he said.
The process of taking on a team so heavily shaped by a decade-old coaching tradition won't be easy, however.
"It's going to take a lot of work, attention to detail, and that's what the spring season's all about," Houck said.
At this point, Houck literally held up a crystal ball and commented that he can't predict the future.
"What I know is that when there is growth there is continued commitment. If growth stops, effort isn't far behind."
While no specific training goals have been established by Coach Houck, his overall vision for next season is crystal clear.
"When you're evaluating success, it goes beyond wins and losses, but I think if we're feeling that exhilaration, then the results will show," he said.
