varsity news

Durham Lords Media Release
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Gord Williamson bidding farewell following this season

OSHAWA, Ont. – The longest-serving head coach of the Durham College men’s volleyball program will be hanging up his clipboard following this season as Gord Williamson will be retiring after an illustrious 23-year career of coaching collegiate volleyball.

"Gord is a great coach but, more importantly, a great person," said Ken Babcock, Durham College athletic director. "His passion for the game is second to none. He has done an excellent job of developing young men into extremely successful volleyball players and adults, which has been the key to their success on and off the court. We will certainly miss one of the best and most successful college volleyball coaches in the country.”

Since joining the Lords in 1997, Williamson has turned the men’s volleyball team into the pinnacle program in collegiate volleyball. In 13 seasons, he has led the Lords to eight OCAA championship appearances, six OCAA final four appearances, five OCAA medals, and one CCAA national championship appearance.

With an overall record of 222-100 and a conference record of 128-52, Williamson leaves the Lords as the winningest coach in program history. As a medal contender every year, his teams have consistently been ranked nationally.

Williamson did a tremendous job in player recruitment and development for the Durham College volleyball program. Three Lords have been named CCAA All-Canadians while playing under Williamson including Nat Ovesnek (1999/00), Rob Guenette (2001/02) and Adam Schiedel (2004/05).

The long-time coach has also garnered the respect from his peers from around the country. In 1999/00, he received the CCAA Coaching Excellence Award, becoming only the third Ontario coach to win the national award.

Prior to joining Durham College, Williamson coached 10 years at Seneca College, where he led the women’s program to six Ontario titles. He leaves Canadian collegiate volleyball with over 23 years of coaching experience and as one of the most successful coaches in the history of the sport.

Williamson will have one final shot of capturing the OCAA men’s volleyball gold medal as the Lords will take part in OCAA Championship from February 25-27, 2010 in Ancaster, Ont. Durham clinched an automatic berth into the championship after finishing in second place in the OCAA east region with a 13-4 conference record. The Lords will match up against Nipissing University on Thursday at 2 p.m. in the championship quarter-finals.

The important search for Williamson’s replacement as Durham Lords men’s volleyball head coach is underway.

WILLIAMSON’S CAREER STATS WITH THE DURHAM LORDS
Head Coach of the Lords: 1997/98 to 2009/10

Overall Record: 222-100 (.689 winning percentage)
Conference Record: 128-52 (.711 winning percentage)

National Championship Appearances (One): 2003
OCAA Medals (Five): 2000 – Silver, 2002 – Bronze, 2004 – Bronze, 2005 – Bronze, 2006 – Silver
OCAA Championship Appearances (Eight): 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010
CCAA Career Coaching Excellence Award: 2000


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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca