Setting Up a New Team: Meet the New Head Men's Volleyball Coach
KJ Helinsky | November 15, 2023
Special to The Echo | WWC Athletics
Head men’s volleyball coach Jack Stark.
In the world of collegiate athletics, there are those individuals who not only redefine success but also inspire others to be the best versions of themselves on and off the court. The latest addition to this esteemed group is none other than Jack Stark, the recently appointed head coach of the inaugural men's volleyball team at Warren Wilson College (WWC).
Before Stark’s time playing and coaching at Mount Mercy University (MMU), Stark played four years at St. Andrews University (SAU) as the starting setter. As a freshman player at SAU, he helped jump-start their men’s volleyball program in its second year of the program. In the four years, Stark helped the program clinch two conference championships which led to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) tournament. Over the four years, Stark was awarded multiple conference setter of the week awards and national recognition.
Born and raised in St Louis, Mo., Stark has been around volleyball since he was a kid. His parents played and coached at the collegiate level, so he learned a lot about what makes volleyball addicting.
Stark brings with him an impressive and illustrious background. A former standout player in his own right, he earned his stripes as a graduate assistant at (MMU), where he helped lead the team to a winning record of 23-9. His remarkable ability to motivate and mentor athletes set him on a trajectory to assume a head coaching position, and it is a role he has embraced with unwavering determination.
One of the defining qualities of Stark is his visionary approach to coaching. He envisions the volleyball court as a canvas where each player's unique skills and talents come together to create a masterpiece of teamwork and strategy. He emphasizes the importance of building a family-like atmosphere within the team, nurturing trust and camaraderie among players and staff.
"I believe that a team's success is rooted in the bonds that players form with each other and with their coaches," Stark said. "It's not just about the game; it's about building character, discipline, and resilience in our athletes, which will serve them on and off the court."
The moment Stark took the role, he instituted a training regimen focused on developing both the physical and mental aspects of the game. The practice sessions are characterized by teaching the fundamentals of volleyball. Most of the team have never played competitive-level volleyball, so it is a learning process for everyone. He is not just interested in winning but in fostering a culture of excellence that will endure at WWC.
Beyond his achievements as a coach, Stark also understands the importance of inspiring the next generation of volleyball players. As he embarks on this new journey at WWC, it is evident that he brings not just a wealth of experience but an unwavering dedication to the game.
The inaugural season of men's volleyball at WWC is fast approaching, and under Stark’s coaching, it looks like WWC students have a season to look forward to.