WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Gallaudet University Athletics Department is proud to announce Heather Hollidge has been selected as the new men's volleyball coach as announced by Athletic Director Michael Weinstock on Friday. Hollidge will lead the team into its first season as a varsity program set to begin in January 2013. Her new position begins immediately.

"We are excited to welcome Heather to Gallaudet athletics," said Weinstock. "She had a great collegiate experience as a women's volleyball player and has since coached for nearly nine years which helps her brings all the necessary tools to the table. Heather has high expectations and a winning attitude that will push Bison student-athletes to play at the Division III level."

Hollidge takes over the first Gallaudet varsity men's volleyball team since the 1970's after having spent the past six years coaching various high school and club teams. She also coached high school volleyball for three of those years. Hollidge, who is hard of hearing, was a member of the U.S. National Deaf Women's Volleyball Team in 1997 and won a silver medal with the team in 2001 in Rome.

Hollidge began playing volleyball when she was 8-years-old. She played four years of varsity volleyball at Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Md. While playing there, she was a two-time Washington Post All-Met team selection, a two-time all-county selection, and made the all-conference team three times. She went on to accept a full athletic scholarship to play volleyball at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). While at UMBC, Hollidge twice led the Northeast Conference (NEC) in assists. She was a two-time NEC all-conference selection and currently sits fourth on UMBC's all-time assists list with 3,034. Hollidge graduated from UMBC in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in history. Hollidge has twin sons named Trysten and Brynden. She currently resides in Hyattsville, Md.

"I am extremely excited about joining the Gallaudet athletic program. I have known about Gallaudet for so long, it is nice to finally be able to join GU and give back," said Hollidge. "I am excited about coaching the men's volleyball program and look forward to teaching our players the game, using my vast experience, so we can elevate this program and make it the best we can be."

The Bison men's volleyball team is now one of six programs in the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) competing in the upcoming 2013 season. Gallaudet joins Cazenovia College, Keuka College, Lancaster Bible College, SUNYIT and Wells College at the varsity level.

Gallaudet fielded a club level men's volleyball team last season under the watch of Coach Emma Racila. The Bison went 0-11 and won one set as it faced several NEAC schools and American University's twice.

This is the second time Gallaudet has fielded a varsity men's volleyball team as the Bison had a championship caliber program back in the 1970's when they won four straight Potomac Intercollegiate Conference championships (1974-77). In 1975, the Gallaudet participated in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national tournament. Bison Hall of Famer Robert Jackson founded Gallaudet's men's volleyball program in 1973. He led the Bison to five straight winning seasons after the pilot season.

Coach Hollidge will host a non-traditional practice this month. If you are interested in joining the men's volleyball program please e-mail Coach Hollidge at usadeafsetter@gmail.com.