New Partnership With Sheraton

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."