Kurt Vlasich has been named as head coach for CMS Volleyball, after serving for the past year as interim head coach. Vlasich began coaching at CMS Volleyball in 2002 under Coach Dianna Graves. Over the past nine seasons, Vlasich has helped build a team that has made significant improvements from year to year, and finished in 2010 with an overall record of 18-11 and a third place finish in SCIAC.
"I am so pleased that Kurt has agreed to join our coaching staff," said Michael Sutton, Director of Athletics & Physical Education, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges. "He has proven himself to be an excellent volleyball coach and colleague. He understands and values the commitment of our players to excellence on the court and in the classroom."
Vlasich has been an important part of the CMS Volleyball Program's day to day activities, helping with recruiting, structuring practices, and implementing game strategies. In December of 2010, he took on the responsibility of interim head coach for CMS Women's Volleyball when Graves took a position in the Dean of Faculty's office.
"I'm excited for the continued success of CMS volleyball and for the outstanding competitive experience of our current and future volleyball student-athletes," said Sutton.
Vlasich has deep roots in the inland empire. He attended Claremont High School, where he started a successful men's volleyball program. He continued to play volleyball at Pepperdine University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology.
Vlasich has been coaching since 1995, when he came back to Claremont High as a volunteer assistant coach and setting coach. Vlasich became JV Head Coach and Varsity assistant in 2001 for the Men's program at CHS where he helped win two JV tournaments, and lead CHS varsity into the CIF playoffs.
Since 2002, Vlasich has also served as Director of Club West Volleyball, a local girls' volleyball club based out of Glendora, CA, and as Head Coach for the Club's 18-1 Elite team. Vlasich has taken his teams to Junior Olympics seven of his nine years with Club West, and finished with a Bronze medal in 2005. Vlasich has helped Club West Volleyball become one of the top rated clubs in Southern California, sending close to 100 student-athletes on to compete at the collegiate level.
The Club recently sent seven teams of varying age groups to Junior Olympics. In 2010, the 12-Elite team took home a gold medal, while the 15-Elite finished with a silver medal. Coach Vlasich will remain at the helm of the CMS Volleyball program as they enter the 2011 season looking for a SCIAC title.
Vlasich is married to Cindi Vlasich, and they have a 2 year old daughter named Rylan. They reside in Upland, California