Kevin Burch Named Men's Volleyball Assistant Coach
August 10, 2012 | Men's Volleyball
Irvine, Calif. -- Kevin Burch has been named an assistant men's volleyball coach at UC Irvine.
Burch was named the 2012 American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III National Assistant Coach of the Year while at Springfield College. Burch helped the Pride to the inaugural Division III National Championship and a record setting 33-5 mark. Under Burch's direction, the Pride finished the year with a .381 hitting percentage, the best in the nation.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to join this special program," Burch said. "UC Irvine has everything – the location, the people, the values plus elite volleyball. Add top-ranked academics and UCI is a perfect place for an athlete to compete."
He started his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Ohio State in 2011, the year the Buckeyes captured their first men's volleyball national title. Burch began the school year as the women's head coach at Columbus State in 2010.
"I want to thank the people, such as Charlie Sullivan and Pete Hanson, that have shaped my career and built my coaching foundation and philosophies."
He joins UCI's first year head coach David Kniffin who was named the AVCA Division I-II National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2011 while coaching the Anteaters. Burch has been mentored by some of the most successful coaches in the country, serving under 2012 AVCA Division III National Coach of the Year Charlie Sullivan at Springfield and 2011 AVCA Division I-II National Coach of the Year Pete Hanson at Ohio State.
"Kevin has had a championship impact on every program he has been a part of and UC Irvine will benefit from his drive, passion and experiences," Kniffin said. "Kevin's work ethic and desire to be a great student of the game has made him a UC Irvine guy. We're fortunate to have him on the team."
Burch graduated from Ohio State with a degree in sports and leisure studies in 2011. He was the men's volleyball team captain at Orange Coast College in 2008 and was prepped at El Modena High School.
Burch has family ties to UCI as his dad, David, was a member of the Anteater track & field team from 1975-77 and was a member of the national championship team in 1976 as a triple jumper.
He joins Mark Presho who will enter his eighth year on the Anteater staff.
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