Van Norden Stepping Down as UMES Head Volleyball Coach

Coach Millicent Van Norden
Courtesy UMES Athletics

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland  -- Millicent Van Norden, who just completed her first season as head coach of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and her 12th as a head coach, announced that she is leaving the Hawks to return home to Louisiana to be closer to her family and coach volleyball locally.

Last season Van Norden inherited a team with essentially just one returning player and competed well, establishing a 3-21 record and going 2-10 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play. Numerous players earned academic and conference playing accolades throughout the season\ under her tutelage. She is now 179-227 overall and 62-47 in conference play as a head coach at five different schools. She twice won Coach of the Year honors.

Prior to coming to UMES she was an assistant at the University of Pittsburgh. She previously served as a head coach at MEAC foes Coppin State, North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State as well as SWAC school and her alma mater, Alcorn State.

"We thank Coach Van Norden for her time here," said Director of Athletics Keith Davidson. "We are grateful to her for coming here and working us out of a tough situation. She not only was able to field a team, but was able to field a competitive team of young ladies with high character. We are sorry to see her go but understand the importance of family and wish her well in her future endeavors."

UMES will begin immediately searching to find her successor.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION