TicketsOct. 30, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio---The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics and head volleyball coach Reed Sunahara have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract extension that will keep the seventh year coach in Clifton on the Bearcat sideline. The new deal will go into affect on July 1, 2007.
"We are very pleased to be keeping Coach Sunahara as part of the Bearcats family with this extension," Director of Athletics Mike Thomas said. "During his tenure at UC, Coach Sunahara has done a terrific job building the volleyball program into one of the best in the BIG EAST and the Midwest. We look forward to him and his staff continuing to flourish and nurturing the fine tradition in place here at UC."
"I am very happy that we have been able to come to agreement on this extension," Sunahara said. "UC has been great to me and my family and I look forward to many more successful years as a Bearcat. I would like to thank the administration for making this a reality. I feel that this is a very important step in our collective goal of taking Cincinnati Volleyball to the upper echelon of the BIG EAST and ultimately making a big impact on the national scene."
Sunahara has been extremely successful during his nearly seven seasons at the helm of the UC program. Already the winningest volleyball coach in school history, Sunahara has guided the Bearcats to three conference championships, four NCAA Tournament appearances and at least 20 wins each season.
He has coached a number of standout players, including Julie DuPont, UC's first All-American and a two-time conference player of the year. Laura Lauder and Jessie Nevitt have also earned honorable mention All-American honors under Sunahara's watch. Overall, Sunahara has guided the careers of 23 all-conference selections since taking over as head coach.
The success of Sunahara's players has not been limited to the court, as two players have earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors, including DuPont who was a three-time Academic All-American. During his time as head coach, student-athletes have earned six Conference USA Academic Medals, 33 slots on the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and eight mentions on the BIG EAST Academic All-Star Team. For the last two seasons, the Bearcats have been honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) with its team academic award.
Sunahara and his wife, former UC volleyball player Laura Rekstis are the parents of three children; sons Rex (10) and R.J. (6) and daughter Mia (1).