Aug. 11, 2000 SEATTLE - Former Gonzaga Prep High School head coach Steve Gillis has been named an assistant volleyball coach at the University of Washington. Gillis replaces Diane Flick, who took over the head coaching position at Western Washington University. Gillis, a native of Spokane, Wash., will be in charge of the team's defensive efforts on the court and will play a major role in the Huskies' recruiting efforts. In addition, he will assist UW head coach Bill Neville in all administrative aspects of the program. "Steve is a very creative and innovative thinker," Neville said. "He sees the game very well, is an excellent teacher and is good with people. He takes all of those skills and is a person of extraordinary integrity who will be a great representative of this University." A 1985 graduate of Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif., Gillis most recently taught history and English at Gonzaga Prep in Spokane, Wash., and coached the girls' volleyball team, beginning in 1995. Gillis also was an assistant coach with the U.S. men's national volleyball team in 1998, after serving as head women's volleyball coach at Whitworth College from 1992-94. On the club level, Gillis was the head coach and founder of Club Valley from 1990-1996. His tenure with Club Valley included leading the 18-and-under team to the USA Volleyball Evergreen Region title in 1995. Gillis, who was a setter and outside hitter during his undergraduate years at Westmont, is currently pursuing his Master's In Teaching from Whitworth College. |
