LAWTON, Oklahoma (February 23) – Aggie Head Volleyball Coach Dominic Yoder has decided to leave Cameron University and accept the head coaching position at Northern Michigan University (Marquette, MI). Coach Yoder’s appointment is effective as of yesterday afternoon but he will stay on board until March 8th. Assistant Coach Bryan Bartczak has been named Interim Head Coach.

“We are excited that Dominic is going to such an established volleyball program and returning to his home state,” Cameron Athletic Director Jim Jackson said. “At the same time we are saddened that we are losing such a good coach.”

Coach Yoder joined the Cameron Athletic staff in spring of 2006 and compiled a 25-4 record as well as the Lone Star Conference North Division Title. He was also named the Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year by fellow LSC coaches.

“I am sad because I am leaving a program that I have put a lot of heart and soul into,” Coach Yoder said. “I’m excited for a new challenge and am excited to be going back to my home state into an environment that is familiar.”

Coach Yoder continued, “I would like to respectfully thank Cameron University, President Ross, Jim Jackson, Kim Vinson, Joe Jones, the Athletic and Academic staff and members of the 2006-2007 Women’s Volleyball Team for the opportunity to lead and serve an outstanding volleyball program and institution. I am very appreciative of all Cameron has done for me and my family”

Similar to Cameron, Northern Michigan offers a strong, historical volleyball program. The NMU Wildcats won the Division II National Championship in both 1993 and 1994.

Despite this announcement coming in the middle of the volleyball offseason, Jackson vows a swift and thorough process to fill the vacant position.

“We have already started a nationwide search (for a new coach) and are currently gathering resumes. We hope to fill the position as soon as possible with the best candidate possible, and I am positive that just as we found Coach Yoder, we will find another coach of that caliber,” Jackson said. “We are committed to our volleyball program, just as we are committed to all of our athletic programs at CU, and are committed to getting them to top of the Lone Star Conference.”

Interim Head Coach Bryan Bartczak will be in charge of every facet of the program until a new head coach is found. This will include administering training, conditioning, and practice programs, as well as preparing and coaching the team through four spring tournaments.

“I am excited to take over head coaching duties for first time at the collegiate level,” Bartczak said. “I have done it at the high school and club levels, but not yet at college.

Although Bartczak has limited experience at the collegiate level, Coach Yoder believes he is leaving the CU volleyball program in good hands.

“Our goal with having Bryan (Bartczak) come in is to ensure that the volleyball program does not lose step and continues to build on their championship season,” Coach Yoder said.

The Aggies kick off their spring non-championship season on March 10 when they host the Cameron Invitational at Aggie Gym.