Women's Volleyball

Mike Gawlik
	Position: Assistant Coach Experience: MSU: 7th, All: 7th Alma Mater: University of the Pacific, 2005

Mike Gawlik begins his seventh season as an assistant coach and his eighth overall with the Spartan volleyball program. A four-year letterwinner and two-year captain at the University of the Pacific, Gawlik brings seven years of competitive coaching experience to George's staff.

Gawlik received a Master's in Athletic Administration from Michigan State University in 2011.

In February of 2010, Gawlik was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) "Thirty Under 30" list. The award honors 30 up-and-coming volleyball coaches each year, who are under the age of 30, for their hard work and dedication to the sport of volleyball.

Gawlik currently serves as the liaison between the AVCA and the assistant coaches throughout the Big Ten Conference.

Gawlik's primary responsibility is the mentoring of the defensive specialists. As a back-court standout at his alma mater, Pacific, Gawlik has brought his experience and tenacity to Michigan State, both of which have seemed to rub off on the Spartans on the competition floor. He also assists with the blockers on the team and specializes as a defensive coordinator for the Spartan coaching staff.

In 2011, Gawlik helped the Spartans make it back to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time during his career at MSU. He also assisted in the emergence of then-freshman Kori Moster as a defensive specialist and libero. Moster led the team in digs with 474 and in service aces with 31. She was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week three times last season and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week once. Alexis Mathews led the team in blocks per set with 1.27 and as fourth in the conference as well. That mark is also good for second all-time in career history at Michigan State.

Gawlik has impacted many players and has been a primary reason for the Spartans' play on the back line, including that of libero Allyson Karaba (2007-10). After seeing scarce playing time during her freshman year as a walk-on, Gawlik helped the sophomore tally 518 digs on the season, second-most in a single season in school history. She also ranked third in single-season school history with 4.39 digs per set, and she did so with scoring being reduced from 30 points to 25 points per set. Karaba ended her career trailing only Nicole Colaluca on both lists, an athlete that Gawlik has also mentored in his time at MSU.

Gawlik is also very hands-on with each of the student-athletes, competing at practices and using his competitiveness to rally the team. Gawlik often times will train just as hard in practice as the current Spartans, showing a commitment to excellence and a passion for the game. Gawlik will also deal with compiling video and scouting other teams. He also takes time to e-mail and compile a volleyball newsletter each month, so MSU volleyball fans, alumni and parents can follow their Spartans on a regular basis.

"With the addition of Mike to our staff we really feel we can take our program to the next level," George said at the time of his hiring. "Mike has been involved with a wide range of coaching responsibilities during his career, and brings a bright and energetic presence to the bench. He has been very involved with our program's goals and expectations throughout his time at MSU, and I am excited to have such a high-caliber individual on our staff."

Prior to his current capacity at MSU, Gawlik served as a volunteer assistant where he contributed to practice planning, scouting of opponents, and the development of player skills and game preparation. He also plays a significant role as a member of the MSU summer camp staff, assisting with session planning and budget assessment.

Gawlik has coached at collegiate-level volleyball camps, including Michigan State and Nebraska. He also served as a head coach for the Sports Performance Volleyball Club Summer Camp from 2000-04. A four-year starter at the setter and libero positions for the University of Pacific, Gawlik was a 2003 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation All-Conference selection, was named a Strength and Conditioning All-American (2005), and earned the Student of the Year Award (2005) for sports science majors. He holds two school records, including career games played (382) and career digs (849).

Gawlik and his wife Katie reside in East Lansing, Mich..

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