HUTCHINSON, KS- The Greater Hutchinson Convention/Visitors Bureau in partnership with the NJCAA DI Volleyball Coaches Association is excited to announce that five-time NCAA champion and AVCA Hall of Famer, John Dunning, will be in Hutchinson as part of the NJCAA DI Volleyball Championship that is taking place at the Hutchinson Sports Arena November 16-18.
“Each year, NJCAA coaches send student athletes on to play pivotal roles in NCAA and NAIA programs all over the country. Having a person with Coach Dunning’s resume attend our Volleyball Championship validates all the hard work that we do and puts our Championship on par with any in the country,” said Joel Bate, NJCAA DI Volleyball Chair. “It will be a great experience for those who attend from the general fan to the student athlete.”
Since beginning his coaching career at Pacific in 1985, Dunning has captured five national titles, the second-most in NCAA history, and coached in more Division I National Title matches than anyone. He took all 32 teams he coached to the NCAA Tournament and led 27 of those teams to an NCAA Regional. Ranking among the top five coaches of all-time, Dunning’s career wins are the seventh-most all-time by a Division 1 head coach. He capped off his illustrious career with a fifth national title in 2016 where his team, The Cardinal, the youngest team to play in a national title match with four freshman starters, two from the State of Kansas, defeated three higher-seeded opponents on its journey to the championship.
While in Hutchinson, Dunning will be assisting with numerous scheduled activities to help enhance the overall environment surrounding the Volleyball Championship. His schedule will include speaking to all 350 student athletes and coaches at the player’s banquet the evening of Wednesday, November 15th, as well as assisting with the presentation of awards after the Championship match Saturday evening. In addition, during the Volleyball Championship, Dunning will be conducting several clinics and seminars that will take place at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. Those will include:
- Skill Development Session on Thursday, November 16th from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. for all middle and high school students grade 7th-12th. This clinic is free for all students with a paid gate admission, but students must pre-register online at njcaavb1.com.
- Coaches’ Clinic on Saturday, November 18th from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. for all youth, college, and high school volleyball coaches. The cost to participate is $25 per coach. Coaches must pre-register online at njcaavb1.com and then pay at the door.
- Recruiting Seminar on Saturday, November 18th from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. for all high school sophomores to seniors. The cost to participate is $25 per person plus paid gate admission. Participants must pre-register online at njcaavb1.com and then pay at the door.
This is the first time Hutchinson will host the 16 team, double-elimination Volleyball Championship. The three-year contract for the Division I Volleyball Championship was awarded to the Greater Hutchinson Convention/Visitors Bureau by the NJCAA Board of Directors in April 2016.
“We are excited to welcome the NJCAA student-athletes and coaches to Hutchinson for another Championship event at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. The local volleyball community has shown tremendous support for hosting the National Championship in Hutchinson for the first time this year, and we are excited to welcome Mr. Dunning as part of this event,” said Holly Leiker, Championship Director for the NJCAA DI Volleyball Championship. “We are confident that the spectators will witness incredible volleyball during the three-day Championship, and having Mr. Dunning in attendance will enhance that experience for the entire volleyball community!”
All Session Passes for the three day event are available for $35 and allow entrance to every match, or single day tickets can be purchased for $15. Student and senior discounts are also available. All tickets can be purchased online at www.njcaavb1.com or at the Convention/Visitors Bureau office at 117 N. Walnut, during normal business hours.
For more information on the clinics and seminars listed above or for additional ticket information contact Holly Leiker or LeAnn Cox at 620.662.3391, or visit www.njcaavb1.com.
