OSHAWA, Ont. - The department of athletics at Durham College is pleased to introduce Tony Clarke as the new head coach of the women's volleyball program.
After spending seven seasons as head coach at Loyalist College, Clarke took on the men's lead role at Trent University last season. Known as an outstanding recruiter and student of the game, Clarke's dedication to his athletes and the school where he has coached has been second to none. He took a women's program at Loyalist, that had won just four times the previous year (2005-06), back to the OCAA playoffs with an 11-3 conference record just a year later. In 2008-09, he was named OCAA East region coach of the year after leading the Lancers to a 17-3 record and a final four finish at the provincial championship.
His career record at Loyalist was an impressive 90-37, as the Lancers recorded over 300 set victories under his leadership. His student-athletes also recorded success off the court as six were named CCAA academic all-Canadians and his teams averaged six OCAA all-academic award winners per season.
"I am excited to be a part of a great culture here at Durham College," said Clarke. "This is a tremendous opportunity for me and my family and I cannot wait to begin this new challenge."
Clarke becomes just the third head coach in Durham College women's volleyball history after Stan Marchut led the program for all of it’s first 24 seasons, and Shane Christopher, who was at the helm for the past six years.
"We are very excited to have been able to secure Tony to lead the next chapter of our women's volleyball program," said Ken Babcock, Durham College athletic director. "His reputation of commitment, knowledge of the game, and strong recruiting ability makes him the perfect fit for Durham College and our goal of returning to national contender status."
Prior to coaching, Clarke, a Clarington, Ont., resident, was a member of the Loyalist College Lancers as a student-athlete from 1994-1996, where the Lancers captured an OCAA gold medal in 1995.
Source: Durham College