Saint Francis Names Chuck Mullen Head Women’s Volleyball Coach

LORETTO, Pa. (July 1, 2008) – Saint Francis University Director of Athletics Bob Krimmel announced on Tuesday that Chuck Mullen has been named as the school’s fifth head women’s volleyball coach.

Most recently the head coach at Division II Coker College in Hartsville, S.C., Mullen begins his duties at Saint Francis effective today, replacing former coach Scott Gleason.

“We are very pleased to welcome Chuck Mullen to the Saint Francis University family,” Krimmel said. “His track record of winning and producing high graduation rates is a perfect fit for our program. I am certain the leadership Chuck will bring to our team will help us to become the premier women’s volleyball program in the Northeast Conference. I know the Red Flash athletics program will welcome him as he makes the move to Saint Francis.”

Mullen’s teams at Coker had a combined 66-61 record over four seasons, including a 54-31 record in league play. He was twice named the Conference Carolinas Coach-of-the-Year (2004 and 2007), and tutored five of his players to All-Conference Carolinas recognition. Margaret Madison was named to the Daktronics Division II Volleyball Atlantic Region First Team as a middle hitter this past season.

“I am very grateful and want to thank Mr. Krimmel and (Senior Associate Director of Athletics) Erika Renwick for this opportunity,” said Mullen, who has strong ties to Pennsylvania and its recruiting landscape. “I am looking forward to taking the next step in my career and I am looking forward to taking the Saint Francis women’s volleyball program to new heights.”

Mullen’s teams at Coker never finished lower than fifth in an 11-team Conference Carolinas, and consistently performed well in the classroom. The Cobras women’s volleyball team won the Team GPA award at Coker in 2005, and consistently ranked in the Top-3 among 12 varsity sports. While at Coker, Mullen also taught several classes, including Personal and Community Health, Lifetime Fitness, and Volleyball/Soccer.

Prior to his arrival in Hartsville, Mullen served as an assistant at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he assisted with practice planning, match strategies, off-season workouts, and team and individual camps from 1998-2003. IUP compiled a six-year record of 138-64 during his tenure, which included the school’s first-ever conference championship team in 2002. He was also part of a staff that led the program to regional playoff berths in four straight seasons from 2000-03. Eight IUP players received all-conference accolades under his tutelage.

Mullen, who was recently appointed to the NCAA Volleyball Rules Committee, has worked summer volleyball camps at IUP, Francis Marion University, Furman University and Troy University. In addition to his coaching duties at Coker, he served as co-advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, internet broadcaster for Coker Basketball games, and as an athletic department representative on the search committee for a new president at the college.

Mullen is a member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association, and the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association. He is certified by the American Red Cross in CPR/First Aid. He was selected as head coach of a college all-star team that recently returned from a trip to Sydney, Australia.

Mullen received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Sport in 2002 from IUP, where he later earned his Master of Science in Sport Administration (2004).