Elkhart native named to head coaching role at Florida Gulf Coast University

Botsford was a volleyball standout at Tri-State (Trine)

ANGOLA, IN (02/12/2014)(readMedia)-- ANGOLA, Ind. – Tri-State University (now Trine) Athletic Hall of Fame member Matthew Botsford has been named the head volleyball and sand volleyball coach at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.

The Elkhart native is a 1998 graduate of Tri-State University with a degree in social studies education and a minor in general science. During his volleyball playing career at TSU (1995-98), Botsford became the program's all-time leader in kills, digs and blocks. As a senior, Botsford earned All-American Scholar Athlete honors. He was inducted into Tri-State's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.

Since graduating, Botsford has played professional volleyball in several leagues, including a two-year stint with Vingaker Volleyball Club in Sweden. He has made collegiate coaching stops at University of Indianapolis, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis,  University of Miami and Notre Dame.

Botsford most recently served as an assistant coach at Colorado State University. While there, he helped the Rams to back-to-back Mountain West Conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances.

Trine University, an internationally recognized, private, co-educational, residential institution, offers associate, baccalaureate, and master degrees in programs to students in engineering, mathematics, science, informatics, business, teacher education, communication, criminal justice, golf management, social sciences, and various other fields of study. Trine is a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and offers 21 varsity sports. Its golf program includes the university-owned 18-hole championship Zollner Golf Course. Founded in 1884 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org), Trine operates a 450-acre main campus in Angola, Ind., and education resource centers throughout Indiana, Arizona and Michigan.

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