Traywick resigns as Lions’ volleyball coach

Missouri Southern State University head volleyball coach Debbie Traywick announced that she has resigned from her position, effective May 31.

Traywick will return to her hometown of Edmond, Okla., and her alma mater, the University of Central Oklahoma, where she plans to step back from coaching and teach only. Traywick received her doctorate degree in educational administration last year.

At UCO, Traywick will serve as wellness curriculum coordinator and will be an assistant professor in the kinesiology department.

“I have enjoyed my coaching career, but I feel this is the time for me to pursue other interests,” Traywick said. “Being closer to my family right now is critical for me.”

Traywick, 328-286 (.534) in 19 years as a collegiate head coach, praised her student-athletes, past and present, for their commitment.

“I’d like to thank the student-athletes that I’ve had over the years for their dedication and hard work, both on the court and in the classroom,” she said. “Without their commitment, a program cannot be successful.”

Sallie Beard, MSSU’s athletics director, said a search for a replacement is underway.

“Debbie, in 19 years as a head coach including 16 here at Missouri Southern, has served the coaching profession well,” Beard said. “She has chosen to leave coaching and return to her hometown and alma mater. We wish her the best as she pursues academic interests in the classroom.”

In 16 years as the Lions’ head volleyball coach, Traywick compiled a record of 267-262 (.505). She led the Lions to six 20-win seasons and five berths in the MIAA Tournament, which was discontinued after the 1992 season but reinstated in 2003.

Traywick was just the second head coach in the 20-year history of volleyball at MSSU. She succeeded Pat Lipira as head coach in 1988 and guided Southern to a 32-11 mark in 1991. She also helped the Lions to a 27-7 mark in 1995 and a 21-9 ledger in 2001.

As head coach at MSSU, all but one of more than 75 four-year players in Traywick’s program have gone on to graduate.

She was chairperson of the NCAA Division II Volleyball Championships Committee for two years, a regional chairperson for six years and a member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Coaches Committee. Traywick has also served on the AVCA All-Region Selection Committee.

She began her collegiate head coaching career in 1983 at Central Oklahoma, and later coached Edmond (Okla.) Memorial High School to a 158-22 volleyball mark. Traywick returned to the college ranks in 1986 and posted a two-year record of 53-15 in two years at Southern Nazarene, including a 27-1 mark in 1987.

The Lions, who return just one starter from last season’s 17-13 squad, are slated to open the 2004 volleyball campaign on Aug. 27-28 at the Harding (Ark.) Tournament.


	May 20, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Traywick resigns as Lions’ volleyball coach Nineteen-year coaching veteran returning to alma mater, hometown Missouri Southern State University head volleyball coach Debbie Traywick announced that she has resigned from her position, effective May 31. Traywick will return to her hometown of Edmond, Okla., and her alma mater, the University of Central Oklahoma, where she plans to step back from coaching and teach only. Traywick received her doctorate degree in educational administration last year. At UCO, Traywick will serve as wellness curriculum coordinator and will be an assistant professor in the kinesiology department. “I have enjoyed my coaching career, but I feel this is the time for me to pursue other interests,” Traywick said. “Being closer to my family right now is critical for me.” Traywick, 328-286 (.534) in 19 years as a collegiate head coach, praised her student-athletes, past and present, for their commitment. “I’d like to thank the student-athletes that I’ve had over the years for their dedication and hard work, both on the court and in the classroom,” she said. “Without their commitment, a program cannot be successful.” Sallie Beard, MSSU’s athletics director, said a search for a replacement is underway. “Debbie, in 19 years as a head coach including 16 here at Missouri Southern, has served the coaching profession well,” Beard said. “She has chosen to leave coaching and return to her hometown and alma mater. We wish her the best as she pursues academic interests in the classroom.” In 16 years as the Lions’ head volleyball coach, Traywick compiled a record of 267-262 (.505). She led the Lions to six 20-win seasons and five berths in the MIAA Tournament, which was discontinued after the 1992 season but reinstated in 2003. Traywick was just the second head coach in the 20-year history of volleyball at MSSU. She succeeded Pat Lipira as head coach in 1988 and guided Southern to a 32-11 mark in 1991. She also helped the Lions to a 27-7 mark in 1995 and a 21-9 ledger in 2001. As head coach at MSSU, all but one of more than 75 four-year players in Traywick’s program have gone on to graduate. She was chairperson of the NCAA Division II Volleyball Championships Committee for two years, a regional chairperson for six years and a member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Coaches Committee. Traywick has also served on the AVCA All-Region Selection Committee. She began her collegiate head coaching career in 1983 at Central Oklahoma, and later coached Edmond (Okla.) Memorial High School to a 158-22 volleyball mark. Traywick returned to the college ranks in 1986 and posted a two-year record of 53-15 in two years at Southern Nazarene, including a 27-1 mark in 1987. The Lions, who return just one starter from last season’s 17-13 squad, are slated to open the 2004 volleyball campaign on Aug. 27-28 at the Harding (Ark.) Tournament.