Stonehill assistant Morgan Thatcher was among 19 coaches to receive a Minority Coaches Scholarship from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. |
First-year assistant helped guide Stonehill to its second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history this fall
EASTON, Mass. (December 11, 2014) – Stonehill College assistant volleyball coach Morgan Thatcher has received a Minority Coaches Scholarship from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), it was announced last week.
Thatcher was among 19 coaches from NCAA institutions, high school programs, and volleyball clubs across the country to receive the AVCA scholarship, which will send the individuals to a professional coaching workshop for minority women, held in conjunction with the 2014 AVCA Annual Convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from December 17-21.
The scholarships, which were made possible by an NCAA grant, will provide the recipients with an opportunity to interact with other coaches and explore networking and educational opportunities at the AVCA Convention.
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Thatcher, who recently completed her first season as an assistant with the Stonehill volleyball program under head coach Lauren Amundson, helped guide the Skyhawks to their second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history this fall. Stonehill (21-8, 11-3 NE-10) earned a share of its first NE-10 regular season title en route to the second seed in the NE-10 Tournament. The Skyhawks advanced to the semifinal round for the second consecutive season and fourth time in the last five years, before earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"I'm very proud of Morgan for earning this scholarship from the AVCA," Amundson said. "I know that she will take advantage of all that our Convention has to offer a young coach. She is beyond deserving of the opportunity, and it will only fuel her evident passion for our profession."
A 2014 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Thatcher earned her bachelor's degree in physical education and was a four-year standout for the Wildcats volleyball program. Thatcher served as team captain during her junior and senior seasons, and was selected as the 2013 America East Player of the Year last fall. The Brockton, Massachusetts, native was also named to the America East All-Conference first team as a junior and senior, and the America East All-Championship Tournament Team as a senior. In the classroom, Thatcher earned America East Academic Honor Roll recognition in 2011, 2012, and 2013. She has also gained valuable coaching experience with NH Seacoast Juniors Volleyball, one of the premier volleyball clubs in New England.
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