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For Immediate Release 11 March 2003
Southwest
Baptist Athletics Director Jim Middleton has announced the
hiring of Leslie Howe as the new SBU Head Volleyball Coach.
“First and foremost, we got the person we wanted,”
Middleton said. “I think Leslie is going to be a great
fit. She is ready to be a head coach, and we are really excited
to give her the opportunity. We feel like she is the one that
will continue to develop this program and make it a very competitive
program in the MIAA.”
Howe will enter her first head coaching job after the last
three seasons at Abilene Christian University in Abilene,
Texas. She served as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
She has also taught in the exercise science department at
ACU and has been the director and head coach of Abilene Attack
Volleyball Club, a position she has held since 2001.
Howe, 26, believes this is the right time to make a move.
“I am very excited about this great opportunity,”
Howe said. “I am excited to get into a program that has
had its up and downs and bring in some new energy. I feel
with recruiting a couple of more kids to add to the depth
we have, we can continue to build a competitive program at
SBU. I think there are some good players on the team right
now, and if we can just add a couple of more to the squad,
next year could be a good year.”
The Texas-native served as an assistant volleyball coach at
Bemidji State from 1998 to 2000 while working on her master’s
degree. In 1999, Howe directed the Pacesetter Volleyball Camps
throughout Minnesota and the surrounding states. In 1996 and
1997, the new Bearcat coach was the head coach of the Concho
Valley Juniors.
Howe finished her four-year career at Angelo State ranking
in the all-time top 10 in both digs and service aces.
A standout player at Martin High School in Arlington, Howe
earned honorable mention all-district honors, and led the
Warriors to a regional semifinal appearance as a junior and
to the regional final appearance as a senior. She also played
on Metroplex and North Dallas junior teams for five years.
Howe graduated in 2001 with a master’s in sports studies
from Bemidji State and in 1998 with a bachelor’s in kinesiology
from Angelo State. She is a 1994 graduate of Martin High School
in Arlington, Texas.
How begins her post at SBU at the end of March and looks forward
to working at Southwest Baptist.
“The atmosphere, the people and what the school stands
for is what struck me,” Howe said. “Being at a christian
institution is a great opportunity. Not that it is easier
to be a witness to people, but it is good to be in that environment,
knowing you can back the university. This is a great opportunity
and I believe we can be successful for many years to come.”
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