Hometown
-Ilion, NY
-Graduated from Ilion High School in 1985
Education
-Herkimer County Community College 1987, AS-Biology
-SUNY ESF / Syracuse University) 1989, BS Environmental Biology
Playing Career
-Syracuse University (middle hitter), 1987-1989
Coaching
-Ilion high School, 1985 -1990, Assistant Volleyball Coach
-Manlius Pebble Hill School, 1990-1996 Head Volleyball Coach & Adjunct Science Faculty
-Jamesville Dewitt High School, 1997-1999, Head Volleyball Coach
-Onondaga Central School, 1999-2003, Head Volleyball Coach
-LeMoyne College
Concurrent positions:
1995 -2000, Head Men’s Volleyball Coach
2001-2007, Volleyball Camp Director
1997-2007, Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach
-Lamar Community College, 2007-2009, Head Volleyball Coach
-Oklahoma Panhandle State University, 2009-current, Head Volleyball Coach
-AVCA Division II Head Coaches Committee
Coach Stephens enters his 5th year at the helm for the OPSU volleyball program. Stephens’ comes to Goodwell from Upstate NY where he graduated from Ilion High School in 1985. Once he made the decision to move from basketball to volleyball his fate was sealed and has led to over 25 years of coaching experience and wealth of playing experience as well. He played at Syracuse University as a middle hitter and has won a regional title in the masters division for the Iroquois Empire Region in USA Volleyball (formerly the USAVB).
Coach Stephens credits his coaching tenure at the LeMoyne College and his working with Ken King as fundamental in developing his current coaching philosophy of the “volleyball family”.
“We spend so many hours together that it is only natural for us to consider our team as an extended family. We focus on trying to build relationships and foster communication while attempting to meet our athletic goals. I am certainly not the same coach that I was when I started as an 18 year old kid; it’s more than the wins and losses. I hope we instill values and create relationships that will last long into a player’s adult life. Working with someone who became a tremendous mentor and a friend was a blessing at LeMoyne.” says Stephens.
The focus on details off the volleyball court is evident in the classroom for the OPSU volleyball program where they have now had 4 consecutive years, (2010-2013) of being honored as recipients of the AVCA All-Academic Team Award. “Academics has always been a primary focus for me as a collegiate head coach; the teams at Lamar CC we were able to achieve the same academic success while I was there too. I believe it’s my job the help prepare the players to be successful after college, high academic marks is part of that.” says Stephens.
“Certainly the move west and specifically, the Oklahoma Panhandle from upstate NY was a transition for me. My decision to accept the coaching position here at OPSU has led to a few of my greatest accomplishments in my life; I met my wife and now have a set of beautiful twins... besides we always have a slew of potential babysitters too!” muses Stephens.
