Volleyball
- Title:
- Women's Volleyball Assistant Coach
Millicent Van Norden enters her first season as an assistant coach with the University of Pittsburgh women[apos]s volleyball team.
Van Norden most recently served as the head coach at Coppin State University in Baltimore, Md. She has amassed 176 wins in 11 seasons as a head coach, posting three 20-win seasons and collecting two Coach of the Year nods.
[quote]If you[apos]ve met Millicent you know Pitt is getting an exceptional person and very talented coach,[quote] said Rens of Van Norden, who will serve as the Panthers[apos] recruiting coordinator. [quote]I[apos]ve been able to view her work ethic and sincere approach to what she does from afar and have always thought highly of her. I am thrilled to welcome her to our volleyball family. Her tireless work ethic and commitment to doing things the right way make her an outstanding fit for Pitt.[quote]
From 2007-10, Van Norden was head coach at South Carolina State where she transformed the Bulldogs program. South Carolina State finished the 2010 season with a 6-2 conference record after posting a 1-7 league ledger in her first season. In addition, Van Norden had three players represented on the all-conference team in 2010. During her tenure at SCSU, 11 players were named to the MEAC all-academic squad. Van Norden earned Coach of the Year honors in 2008.
Prior to her stint at South Carolina State, Van Norden served as the head coach at North Carolina A&T for three seasons. She was tabbed MEAC Coach of the Year in 2005 after guiding the Aggies to a 9-1 MEAC record.
Van Norden began her coaching career at her alma mater, Alcorn State University, in Lorman, Miss. In three seasons, she posted a record of 71-42 and won two Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Eastern Division titles with two SWAC Tournament championship match appearances.
A native of Laplace, La., she graduated cum laude from Alcorn State in 2000 where she earned letters in volleyball and track and field. Van Norden (Sylvan) was a two-time All-SWAC selection and was named the pre-season volleyball SWAC Player of the Year in 2000.
Van Norden was a 2000 USA Track and Field Indoor National Participant and a provisional qualifier in the long jump and the 100-meter hurdles that same year. She was an eight-time SWAC Champion in the triple jump and earned seven honors in the high jump. Van Norden was a six-time SWAC Champion in the long jump.
As an undergraduate, Van Norden was active in several student organizations including the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, SWAC Student-Athlete Association and the Alcorn State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. A four-year SWAC Scholar-Athlete, Van Norden was awarded the Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar Athlete Award in 2000.
She holds a master[apos]s degree from Alcorn State in secondary education (2003). Van Norden is a member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association and USA Volleyball. She previously served as the MEAC representative for the 2005 East Regional ranking committee.
[quote]The opportunity that Coach Rens and Pitt[apos]s athletic department has given to me is wonderful,[quote] said Van Norden. [quote]I sincerely feel I joined an extension of my family, not just transitioned into a position. I will be able to align my goals and continue to grow as a coach and as a person as I share Coach Rens[apos] views, values and approaches to success. I am looking forward to learning and supporting Pitt Volleyball on all levels.[quote]
Van Norden and her husband, Allen Van Norden are the parents of three children, Christian (8), Cain (4) and Loki (2).
