ANNAPOLIS, Md.- Larry Bock, the winningest volleyball coach in the history of the NCAA and the first head coach of both Juniata volleyball teams, has decided to retire after seven seasons at Navy. Prior to Navy he spent the previous 34 years turning Juniata into a national power in volleyball.
He holds NCAA records for the most career wins as a women's head coach (1,348) and as a collegiate volleyball coach (1,448).
Juniata accumulated a 1,252-192-3 record in his time at the helm and made it to the NCAA Tournament every year since its inception in 1981. The Eagles won NCAA titles in 2004 and '06 and reached the championship match at six additional occasions. He surpassed 1,000 wins, the first volleyball coach at any division to do so, in 2004. Bock also concurrently served six years as the men's coach, leading them through their first six seasons as a program including three EIVA Division III titles. He also served as the athletic director for his last 15 seasons in Huntingdon.
While Juniata was in the Middle Atlantic Conference, Bock led the women's volleyball team to 291 straight wins in the conference, an overall conference record of 332-14 and a record of 103-9 in the playoffs. He was unbeaten in Landmark Conference play, won 30 straight conference championships spanning both conferences and had a 95-36 record in the NCAA tournament.
Bock has received nearly every possible coaching award available over the course of his career. He has been tabbed as the AVCA (D-III) National Coach of the Year five times and as the organization's region coach of the year on nine occasions. Bock also was a member of the AVCA's inaugural Hall of Fame Class (2003), was elected as one of the two NCAA Silver Anniversary (D-III) Team Head Coaches (2006), received the AVCA Founders Award for service to the sport (2000), garnered the USA Volleyball Trailblazer Award (2006) and was selected as the 2009 recipient of the All-Time Great Coaches Award by USA Volleyball. He also was named the Division III Central Region Athletic Director of the Year in 2005.
"Larry is not only an exceptional coach but also a wonderful person, administrator and mentor," said former player and current women's volleyball head coach Heather Pavlik, who played for and coached under Bock before taking the reigns in 2011. "His strengths lie in empowering those he works with to grow and develop by pushing their limits and learning from their mistakes while knowing he will always be there to help when needed. My experience both playing for him and working with him were some of the most fun and fulfilling times of my life. His mixture of intellect, humor and tough love are the perfect recipe for a wildly successful collegiate coach, mentor and friend."
Most NCAA Volleyball Coaching Victories –– Men's and/or Women's (Yrs.)
1. 1,448 - Larry Bock (47)
2. 1,309 - Peggy Martin, current Spring Hill women's coach (42)
3. 1,283 - Dave Shoji, former Hawai'i women's & men's coach (50)
4. 1,246 - Russ Rose, current Penn State women's coach (39)
5. 1,239 - Al Scates, former UCLA men's coach (50)
6. 1,212 - Tracy Rietzke, current Rockhurst women's coach (36)
7. 1,106 - Andy Banachowski, former UCLA women's coach (40)
8. 1,070 - Rich Luenemann, former Wash.-St. Louis women's coach (32)
9. 1,040 - Chris Catanach, current Tampa women's coach (34)
10. 1,021 - Shelton Collier, current Wingate women's coach (36)
Most NCAA Volleyball Coaching Victories –– Women's Only (Yrs.)
1. 1,348 - Larry Bock (41)
2. 1,309 - Peggy Martin, current Spring Hill coach (42)
3. 1,246 - Russ Rose, current Penn State coach (39)
4. 1,212 - Tracy Rietzke, current Rockhurst coach (36)
5. 1,202 - Dave Shoji, former Hawai'i coach (42)
6. 1,106 - Andy Banachowski, former UCLA coach (40)
7. 1,070 - Rich Luenemann, former Washington-St. Louis coach (32)
8. 1,040 - Chris Catanach, current Tampa coach (34)
9. 1,021 - Shelton Collier, current Wingate coach (36)
10. 957 - Mick Haley, former USC coach (34)