Gord Grace, Director of Athletics at the University of Windsor is pleased to announce the hiring of James Gravelle as the new head coach of the Lancer men's volleyball team. The hiring is effective immediately.
 
Widely respected by his players, Gravelle has served as an assistant coach with the Lancer men's volleyball team for the past two seasons, and will be the fifth coach in program history.
 
“We are pleased to announce Coach Gravelle as the new head coach of the Lancer men's volleyball program," commented Grace. “James has been a valuable asset to the coaching staff over the past few seasons and we are looking forward to seeing the team continue to grow under his leadership.”
 
Gravelle inherits the reigns from former head coach Shawn Lippert who stepped down after two seasons with the Lancer program.
 
“We express our sincere thanks to Shawn for his commitment to his student-athletes and wish him all the best in the future,” said Grace.
 
An experienced coach at many levels, Gravelle has also served as co-coach with Mark Wasyluk at Holy Names High School where they led the senior boys' volleyball team to consecutive AAAA WECSSAA and SWOSSAA championships, and a bronze medal at OFSAA in 2011.
 
As an assistant, Gravelle also helped lead the Holy Names senior girl's team to a pair WECSSAA and SWOSSAA championship titles during the 2010-11 season, and spent two seasons as a beach and indoor volleyball travelling coach in the Northwest Territories.
 
A native of Windsor, ON, Gravelle is also a former Lancer team captain and two-time OUA all-star with the men's volleyball program, and was a member of the Canadian National Beach Volleyball Team and FIVB World Tour competitor from 2000-2002.
 
Coach Gravelle is flattered to be named the next head coach of the Lancer program.
 
"I am honoured and excited for the opportunity to guide the men's volleyball program to the top of the OUA,” commented Gravelle. “The team has a solid foundation to build upon, and with the addition of a few key pieces we will be able to bolster the lineup for next season.”