



SPRINGFIELD, Mass., April 7, 2006 – Springfield College women’s volleyball coach Joel Dearing last night was one of eight to receive the Trailblazer Award at the 10th annual Molten Division III Men’s Invitational Volleyball Championship Banquet on the campus of Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J.
Those honored included Craig Barker, Doug Beal, Larry Bock, Jim Coleman, Joel Dearing, Gerald Matacotta, Robert Newcomb, and Sandy Vivas for their individual contributions in establishing the Molten Division III Men’s Invitational Volleyball Championship.
The evolution of the Molten Division III Men’s Invitational Volleyball Championship started in 1991 at an EIVA meeting at East Stroudsburg, Pa. Several of the above names discussed the need for NCAA Division III schools to be given the opportunity to compete for a national championship. The group eventually pitched the idea to Doug Beal, who forwarded the concept to Molten USA.
Here is a quick bio of Joel Dearing as it pertains to this award:
Joe Dearing served as head men’s volleyball coach at Springfield College from 1990 to 1996, including a #1 NCAA Division III ranking in his final season. Springfield compiled a 130-52 men’s volleyball record under Dearing’s leadership. He served as the EIVA Secretary through the 1996 season. Dearing helped promote the need for and establishment of a national championship opportunity for NCAA Division III programs. A year after he stepped down as coach, Springfield won the inaugural Molten Division III Men’s Invitational Volleyball Championship in 1997. Dearing has led the Springfield women’s volleyball program to a 455-161 record and overall women’s volleyball coaching career record of 588-275. He serves as a member of the Volleyball Hall of Fame board of directors and the USA Volleyball Coaching Accreditation Program Cadre.


Moira Long will enter her first season as head women's volleyball coach in the fall of 2011. With over 300 victories as a Division III women's volleyball coach, Long will continue Springfield's proud tradition as one of the top programs in the country.
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