Feb. 8, 2010

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Assistant Coach Mike Gawlik
Head Coach Cathy George

EAST LANSING, Mich. - As announced by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) today (Feb. 8), Michigan State assistant coach Mike Gawlik has been named to the "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. This season marked the second year this honor has been awarded. Gawlik, who just completed his fifth season on staff at MSU, is one of 26 first-time recipients this season. The list of winners was announced in the February/March edition of Coaching Volleyball.

"It is an honor to be recognized," said Gawlik. "Any time you can be recognized by your peers, and I respect so many people who are involved in the AVCA at all different ranks of coaching, is certainly an honor. I was pretty surprised when I first heard I was receiving this honor. I haven't been coaching that long, and I don't know who would have nominated me, but I am grateful and I try to do my best every day."

After arriving at MSU five years ago as a volunteer assistant, Gawlik has excelled as a young coach mentoring student-athletes each and every day. Even though Gawlik was only 23 when he began coaching as a Spartan, he has certainly impressed his peers whom he works with each day.

"Mike is an outstanding coach and individual," said Michigan State volleyball head coach Cathy George. "What carries over in his coaching is the quality of person he is, and the way he goes about his business. Mike joined us a volunteer assistant many years ago when he was 23, and people thought I was crazy to hire a 23-year-old when our assistant position opened up. He was one of those volunteers who would be working around the clock doing whatever I asked. He is a great role model, great representative, and brings a lot to our program behind the scenes and is a nice blend to our coaching staff."

"Mike is a coach who brings a lot of energy and creativity to every practice. Even on our worst days, he gets everyone excited to play volleyball," said junior Allyson Karaba.

The 2009 Spartans, with the assistance of Gawlik, recorded 1,567 digs, the most for the program since the adoption of the 25-point scoring system in college volleyball. MSU also advanced to its third NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four years, and saw the program get off to its best start to a season since 1976, when the Green and White began the year 15-0.

Gawlik and the Spartans resume practice for spring ball on March 15 in preparation for a trip to Central Michigan on March 27.