Oct. 4, 2007
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Colin McMillan has been named an assistant coach for the Penn State men's volleyball program, head coach Mark Pavlik announced. McMillan joined Pavlik and assistant coach Craig Dyer on staff beginning Oct. 1.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to work with a university of the caliber of Penn State, both academically and athletically," said McMillan. "My hope is to contribute to the tradition of success established within this program by the coaching staff and the players."
McMillan, a former standout at Ohio State from 1997-2000, has trained within the United States National pipeline and competed internationally for various clubs around the world. A 6-11 middle hitter, McMillan was a member of the 2001 United States team that captured the gold medal at the World University Games in Beijing, China, and also was a member of the U.S. World League team in 2001. From 2000 to 2005, he was the starting middle hitter for the Besiktas Volleyball Club in Istanbul, Turkey and also played for Castelo da Maia in Portugal, Marseille 13PVB in France and Los Rebeldes de Moca in Puerto Rico, winning the Superior League Championship in 2000.
"Penn State men's volleyball is very pleased to welcome Colin," said Pavlik. "With all of his experience, from Ohio State to the United States program to international volleyball, Colin will provide us with a strong background. I have known Colin and had the privilege of being a member of the 2001 U.S. World University Games team that won the gold medal, and I know that our team and program is going to benefit from Colin's expertise. Craig, myself and the team are excited to have him on board."
McMillan is a four-time All-MIVA selection and a four-year scholar athlete at Ohio State. Named to the 2000 National Collegiate Championship All-Tournament Team, McMillan led the Buckeyes to a national runner-up title that year and finished among the top five in hitting percentage all four years. He is the career record holder at OSU in hitting percentage (.481), block assists (473) and total blocks (548) and sits eighth in aces (59), second in blocks per game (1.56) and seventh in kills (1,206). During McMillan's tenure, the Buckeyes accumulated a 90-21 overall record with three first-places finishes in the MIVA.
A graduate assistant coach for Ohio State during the 2003 season, McMillan has also served as a club coach for several programs, most recently coaching the Excel Volleyball Club 18 boys program in Glenview, Ill. He guided the Next Level 16 boys program in Franklin, Wis., in 2005 and 2006 and coached and supervised the Stellar Sports LLC 15 girls club team in Colorado Springs, Colo., with duties including practice and match coaching as well as travel and on-site supervision.
McMillan graduated from Ohio State in 2000 with a double major in international business and marketing, and has worked outside of the volleyball community with such corporations as DePuy Orthopedics and Cosentino North America.
Penn State kicks off the 2008 slate at the Hawaii Outrigger Invitational in Honolulu, Hawaii on Jan. 3-5 against the host Warriors, UCLA and Ball State. The Nittany Lions will also host Southern California for two exhibition matches on Friday, Oct. 26 (1:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.) at Rec Hall, with the 5:30 p.m. match taking place prior to the pep rally for the Penn State-Ohio State football game on Saturday, Oct. 27.
For more information on the Penn State men's volleyball team, please visit www.GoPSUsports.com.