May 10, 2007
Men's Volleyball Returns to DWC,
Friedland Tabbed to Head Both Volleyball Programs
 

Friedland will be charged with leading the women's volleyball program, while resurrecting the men's program (file courtesy Endicott College).

Nashua, N.H. -- In a double-dose of collegiate volleyball moves today, the Daniel Webster College Department of Athletics has announced the reinstitution of men’s volleyball as a varsity sport, while appointing Russ Friedland to serve as head coach of both the new program and the Eagles’ women’s volleyball program.

“As we continue to move forward in taking our athletic program to a new level, I am extremely pleased to announce the return of men’s varsity volleyball and to welcome Russ Friedland to the College community,” said Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs for Athletics Phil Rowe. “Russ has shown himself to be capable, talented, and passionate. I believe he is the right fit to lead both our established women’s program as well as create our men’s program into challengers for a conference championship.”

A 2005 graduate of Endicott in Beverly, Mass. with a degree in Sport Management, Friedland served as assistant coach at his alma mater in 2006 while completing a Master of Business Administration. He spent the 2004 season as an undergraduate assistant coach at the University of Connecticut and was an assistant to the Director and Coach at the Connecticut Elite Volleyball Camp held at UConn in 2003 and 2004.

“I am extremely thrilled and honored to become a part of the Daniel Webster family,” said Friedland. “There is a lot of excitement surrounding the women's volleyball program and a great foundation is already in place. I'm excited to build off that. I plan to help this team grow with the goal of becoming a regional power and put Eagles volleyball on the map.”

The reinstitution of men’s volleyball will mark the 13th NCAA varsity program at the College and third to be added within the last six months. The College announced plans to add field hockey and women’s lacrosse on December 18th, 2006.

Friedland echoed Rowe’s sentiments in reflecting on the challenges of returning the men’s program to varsity status.

“As excited as I am about the women’s program, I'm equally ecstatic about being a part of the resurrection of men's volleyball’s and leading it to prominence,” he said. “Men's volleyball is a fast-growing sport and I am privileged to be part of that growth. I aim to find players that share the same love and passion for the game as I do. My goal is to create a conference contender as soon as possible.”

A four-year collegiate letter winner with the Gulls, Friedland was part of a program that put together a 67-46 mark including a 51-15 mark in conference play, earning three straight conference tournament bids and two ECAC Final Four appearances (2004, 2005). He currently remains ninth all time in program kills, third in assists, second on service aces, ninth in digs, sixth in points, second in total blocks, and eighth in games played.

The Mansfield, Conn. native was a three-time captain, two-time team most valuable player and an all stater as a senior at EO Smith High School.

Friedland steps into a women’s coaching role that was headed by Tammy Lambrou last season. Lambrou departed this past Spring to pursue other opportunities.

Friedland inherits a young Eagle women’s squad that showed great potential in 2006, posting a 6-11 overall record including a 4-7 mark in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play, missing the post season tournament by one game. The Eagles are expected to return seven letter winners and four starters from this past year’s squad.

Men’s volleyball was played on the college campus for three years, from 1996 through 1998, as members of the GNAC. A timetable has been put in place to establish a club team in 2007-08, elevate the program to full varsity status in 2008-09, and apply for NECVA membership.

The NECVA is the primary home of men’s programs throughout New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania comprising 36 programs. 12 teams currently comprise the NECVA’s New England Conference including Elms, Emmanuel, Endicott, Johnson & Wales, Lasell, Lesley, MIT, Mount Ida, Newbury, Rivier, Southern Vermont, and Wentworth.

As a member of the NCAA Division III Great Northeast Athletic Conference, DWC now sponsors 13 varsity programs including men’s soccer, women’s soccer, men’s cross country, women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, softball, women’s lacrosse and men’s lacrosse. The college also sponsors club men’s ice hockey as a member of the Northeast Collegiate Hockey Association (NECHA).