For Immediate Release June 11, 2008

Illinois College names head coach for volleyball and softball

Illinois College has appointed Chad Nelson of Normal to the dual role of head coach in volleyball and softball, according to an announcement today (June 11) by Gale Vaughn, athletic director at the NCAA Division III college.

Nelson served previously as a volunteer assistant coach at Illinois State University and was an assistant coach for four seasons at Lincoln Christian College. Vaughn said Nelson’s role at both institutions has prepared him to step into his first head coaching assignment.

“Chad brings a high level of intensity and enthusiasm to the coaching profession, and we are confident he will make a fine addition to our staff,” Vaughn said in making the announcement. “He was part of successful programs at ISU and Lincoln Christian, and we think that experience will serve him well at IC.”

Nelson is a 2008 graduate of Lincoln Christian College. He served as men’s golf coach, assistant volleyball coach and assistant men’s basketball coach at LCC from 2002 to 2006 before working as a volunteer assistant coach last fall for the Illinois State University volleyball team.

The Lincoln Christian volleyball team won the National Christian College Athletic Association title in 2003 and captured runner-up honors in 2004 and 2006. During each of Nelson’s four seasons as a volleyball assistant, the LCC women earned NCCAA Division II regional titles. The Illinois State University volleyball team finished 21-12 last fall and qualified for the NCAA Division I tournament.

Nelson will fill the coaching assignments left vacant earlier this year when Jennifer Saylor was named head volleyball coach at Lake Forest College. Saylor’s teams posted combined marks of 105-100 in volleyball and 78-92 in softball from 2002 through 2007.

Illinois College competes as a member of the Midwest Conference along with Grinnell College, Knox College, Monmouth College, Lake Forest College, Lawrence University, Beloit College, Ripon College, St. Norbert College and Carroll College.