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Flora Resigns To Accept Volleyball Post At New Mexico State
Interim Athletic Director Julie Kline has announced that
University of La Verne women’s head volleyball and head
men’s tennis coach Don Flora has resigned effective March 27
to accept an assistant volleyball coaching position at Division I
New Mexico State University.
Kline announced that the Athletic Department will begin a search
process to fill the position shortly. In addition, she said that
assistant tennis coaches Mario Backes and Lacy Cascadden will
direct the men’s tennis program for the remainder of the
season.
“The University of La Verne volleyball program has enjoyed a
great tradition and Don Flora has sustained a level of excellence
for the past 11 seasons,” said Kline. “We are proud of
Don Flora and the volleyball program and what they have been able
to accomplish during this era. We wish Don and his family the best
with all of their future endeavors.”
Flora elevated La Verne volleyball into one of the nation’s
finest programs, leading the Leopards to the NCAA Division III
Championship in 2001. Most recently he led La Verne to a national
runner-up finish in 2008 as the Leopards posted a 27-3 overall
record including a 14-0 mark in the Southern California
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Additionally, La Verne reached
the NCAA semifinals three consecutive seasons in 2003, 2004, and
2005.
Under Flora’s guidance, the Leopards captured nine
consecutive SCIAC Championships (2000-2008) compiling a conference
record of 120-4 during that span. La Verne has also claimed five
West Region titles (2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008).
Flora earned American Volleyball Coaches Association and
Volleyball Magazine Division III Coach of the Year honors in 2001.
He has also been named AVCA West Region Coach of the Year in 2001,
2003, 2006 and 2008.
“Leaving this program is so very difficult,” said
Flora. “I have so much respect for the players and what they
have accomplished over the years. I wish all the best to the
incoming class of volleyball athletes, one of our finest recruiting
classes in recent years, and especially to the returning athletes.
They will always be a part of my fond memories of Leopard
volleyball.”
In his 11 seasons as head women’s volleyball coach, he
compiled an overall record of 269-59, a win percentage of .820.
La Verne produced 26 All-Americans along with seven SCIAC Player
of the Year selections during Flora’s tenure. He also coached
two national players of the year in Ryan Winn (2001) and Amy Smith
(2003), both of whom earned induction into the University of La
Verne’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
“I am very grateful to so many friends and staff members
that have supported this program over the past 11 seasons,”
Flora added. “I cannot share enough how much I am thankful
for the support from donors, alumni, staff and faculty alike. It
has been a wonderful run of success over these past 11
seasons."
