La Verne coach takes Division I job
The University of La Verne has lost volleyball coach Don Flora to a better opportunity.
Flora, who led the program to national prominence in his 11 years, has resigned to take the lead assistant job at Division I New Mexico State. The resignation is effective March 27th.
He led the Leopards to the Division III championship match this season depite having a team with just two seniors. Among the wins was an upset of No. 1 Juniata (Penn.) in the national semifinal.
His team won a national title in 2001 and made trips to the semifinals in 2003, 2004 and 2005. The Leopards have won nine straight SCIAC titles and are 120-4 in conference play in that stretch. He has been named AVCA West Rregion Coach of the Year four times including this season.
Flora has done everything there is to do at this level and Division I jobs don't come around often. The school was lucky to keep him as long as it did. He will be missed.
About Michelle
Michelle Gardner has been a staff writer for The Sun and the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin since 2002 and has covered the local college sports scene since 2004. She ventured West after working at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale for eight years and is a graduate of the University of Florida.
E-mail Michelle here.
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