CHICAGO, Ill. - North Park University Athletics is proud to announce the addition of Men's Volleyball for the 2018-2019 season.
Piloting the first year of the new Men's Volleyball program will be Head Coach Michael Sopocy.
Sopocy brings a plethora of experience and variety to North Park. At the collegiate level, he assisted with Bowling Green State's women's volleyball program (2003-2004) where he worked primarily in defensive development. Continuing his coaching within Division 1 athletics, Sopocy was an Assistant Coach at Cleveland State University in 2006. Again, he worked primarily in defensive development, focusing on the liberos and defensive specialists.
Sopocy also has an established base at the high school level. In his first season as Head Volleyball Coach for Resurrection Prep, Sopocy led the girls to the State championship game. He also drove Resurrection Prep to the best record in school history (33-9), including their first-ever GCAC Conference Championship and first ever Super-Sectional win. The 2017 Resurrection Volleyball team is now decorated as the Best Sports Team in Resurrection history.
Sopocy also works as the Girls Division Director and a Head Coach for the Energy Volleyball Club in Niles, Illinois. As the Director of the program, he oversees a staff of more than 30 coaches, monitors student-athlete progress at the 15-18u level, and organizes teams to ensure the most positive learning experience. On top of his work as the Director, Sopocy conducts weekly position training for all club athletes and organizes practice plans for his coaching staff.
No stranger to North Park, Sopocy served as an Assistant Coach with the women's volleyball team from 2012-2014. During that time, he was in charge of position training, player development, recruiting, and game planning. He also served as the strength and conditioning coach.
From 2009-2011, Sopocy led the DePaul University Men's Club Volleyball team to a top 10 finish at the USA Volleyball Collegiate Club Nationals. As the Head Coach, he guided DePaul to a University of Northern Iowa Invite Tournament championship.
Sopocy also made stops as the Head Coach for Bowling Green's women's club volleyball team (2002-2005), men's club volleyball team (2002-2004), and was an assistant varsity coach for the Glenbrook South High School volleyball team (2009-2010).
Currently building a base of recruits and North Park students, Sopocy and the men's volleyball program are looking forward to developing at ground level to compete within the NCAA.
From Head Men's Volleyball Coach, Michael Sopocy:
"I am excited to return home to North Park and ready to lead the men's volleyball team. NPU has a strong athletic tradition and culture and I intend to build upon that foundation. I'm confident, with the support of the athletics staff and administration, that we will be able to build a successful and respected foundation of intercollegiate men's volleyball."
Director of Athletics, Dr. Jack Surridge is also looking forward to supporting Sopocy and the Men's Volleyball team this upcoming season.
"This is a historic event in North Park University men's athletics as we add the first men's program in 25 years. We are very excited for Coach Sopocy to join the Viking ship. He is passionate about volleyball, he is an excellent teacher, he is connected in the volleyball community and he knows North Park."
