General | 2/20/2020 1:53:00 PM

Oklahoma Panhandle State University Director of Athletics Meghan Mulcahy has announced that veteran volleyball coach Julie Allen has been hired to lead the Aggies' program. Allen assumes the role as the Panhandle State Head Volleyball Coach, after most recently serving in the same capacity at NCAA Division I Eastern Illinois University, for the previous two seasons.
 
"I am pleased to welcome Coach Allen to the Aggie Family," Panhandle State President Dr. Tim Faltyn said. "Coach Allen has an extensive coaching background, as well as a commitment to the student-athletes' academic and personal success."
 
Allen's other volleyball experiences include serving on staff at Wichita State University (2016-18), the University of Texas-El Paso (2010-16), Arkansas State University (2008-2010), Georgetown University (2006-2008) and Chico State University (2004-2006). While serving in an assistant capacity at each of these, Allen was also entrusted as the interim head coach at Georgetown for eight months during her tenure at the Washington, D.C., university.

"The athletic staff and myself are excited to have Coach Allen joining our team," OPSU Director of Athletics Meghan Mulcahy said. "I believe her experience at NCAA Division I – as well as strong knowledge of volleyball in this region - will bring continued success to the program. Likewise, I believe she will add a breadth of knowledge and stability to the program through her extensive volleyball experience."
 
Allen's previous positions have all been earmarked by her team's success in the classroom, fundraising and community involvement, camps and clinics, as well as ample accolades for her student-athletes. At EIU, her program saw its team grade point average jump from a 2.75 upon her arrival, to a 3.30.
 
In the last decade alone, Allen-coached players have earned 11 All-American awards and 33 all-conference accolades on the court.  She has also coached three conference "MVP's" and has been a part of five championship teams.
 
In the classroom, her student-athletes really spiked it with 43 various academic honors, on the national, regional and conference levels.
 
"I am honored to be joining the OPSU athletic department and I am excited to lead the Aggie Volleyball team," Allen said. "I want to thank President Dr. Tim Faltyn, Athletic Director Meghan Mulcahy and the search committee for the opportunity to be the Head Volleyball Coach. The immediate impact and leadership shown by Dr. Faltyn, is inspiring and makes it an exciting time to be a part of the Panhandle State University and its Athletics Department.  I am grateful for the opportunity, and eager to work with the team, connect with the community and recruit for the future. We will compete on the court, excel in the classroom, and commit to our community.
 
"As soon as I set foot on the OPSU campus, I felt the sense of family, commitment and the tight-knit community support."
 
She succeeds Shelby Bartley, who served as the Interim Head Coach for the Aggies for the 2019 season.