Bret Stothart named the new women's volleyball coach at Western New England

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Bret Stothart has been named the new women’s volleyball coach at Western New England, athletics director Mike Theulen announced Wednesday (Mar. 16). He succeeds Kait Kozak who resigned after two seasons to become the assistant women’s volleyball coach at Navy.

"We are extremely ecstatic to have Bret join our coaching staff," said Western New England athletics director Mike Theulen. "He has enjoyed considerable success as a player and coach, and we know he will do a terrific job coaching and teaching our student-athletes."

Stothart, who starred in men's volleyball at nearby Springfield College, begins his new position on March 28.

“Serving as head coach at Western New England offers an excellent opportunity for me personally,” Stothart said. “I’m looking forward to working with the impressive student-athletes and building on the success of the program.”

A native of Emmaus, Pennsylvania, Stothart served in a similar position at Roger Williams University the past six seasons compiling a 124-74 record for a 62.6 winning percentage.

RWU set a school record for winning percentage with a 29-6 (82.9) mark in 2010, which included a perfect 10-0 mark in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC). He was named TCCC Coach-of-the-Year as the Hawks captured the conference championship and participated in the NCAA Division III Championship for the second straight season.

Stothart enjoyed an outstanding four-year career as a setter at Springfield where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management in 1998.

After leading SC to the Molten Division III National Championship in 1997, he was selected the Volleyball magazine Division III National Player-of-the-Year and earned All-American recognition as a senior.

In addition, Stothart was the Pride’s Most Valuable Player in 1997 and 1998, and the school’s Senior Male Athlete-of-the-Year. He also excelled in the classroom where he was a three-time GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-American from 1996-98. Stothart graduated summa cum laude and made the Dean’s List every semester at Springfield. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree magna cum laude from Niagara University.

Prior to joining the Roger Williams staff, Stothart served as the graduate assistant coach for the Division I women’s program at Niagara and was an assistant coach for the men’s program at Springfield for two seasons.

Stothart is a member of the American Volleyball Coaches and New England Women’s Volleyball Associations. He is the Communications Liaison for the NEWVA and serves as TCCC representative on the NCAA Division III Ranking Committee.