WMU HOME > ABOUT WMU > WMU NEWS Former assistant returns as volleyball head coach Jan. 14, 2005 KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University has hired former Bronco assistant Colleen Munson to become the seventh head coach in the 39-year history of WMU volleyball. Munson replaces Cathy George, who left the university after 11 years to take the head coaching duties at Michigan State University. "We are excited to have Colleen back at Western Michigan University," said Athletic Director Kathy Beauregard. "She is an experienced head coach at the Division I level and is a good fit for our program." Munson has spent the past five seasons as the head volleyball coach at East Carolina University. In 2000, she became only the third coach in program history to post a winning record (17-13) and garnered the first regional ranking in ECU history. Munson led ECU to its first Conference USA Tournament berth in 2001 and compiled an overall record of 52-99 with the Pirates. A native of Glen Ellyn, Ill., Munson spent three years as an assistant at WMU under George from 1997 to 1999. During Munson's stint in Kalamazoo, WMU had a 57-35 overall record. In 1999, WMU went 25-7 overall and 15-3 in the Mid-American Conference, advancing to the MAC Tournament title match. As a player, Munson began her career at North Dakota State University. She transferred to the University of Texas-Arlington in 1990. During her career at UT-A the Maverick's made an NCAA tournament appearance and won two Southland Conference titles. A three-year starter, Munson ended her career with 4,089 assists, which ranks fifth in the Maverick's record books. Media contact: Paula Haughn, 269 387-4138, paula.haughn@wmich.edu WMU News Office of University Relations Western Michigan University 1903 W Michigan Ave Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA 269 387-8400 www.wmich.edu/wmu/news