The coaching carousel is spinning again for the Capilano University men's volleyball team as Nathan Bennett has moved on, replaced by Ryan Ratushniak.
Ratushniak, a Manitoba native, won three CIS titles as a player with the University of Manitoba Bisons and went on to a coaching career that included stops at U of M, Red River College, the Manitoba provincial team, the Volleyball Canada Centre of Excellence in Winnipeg and the men's national B team.
"I'm really excited to coach the men's volleyball team at Capilano University," Ratushniak stated in a press release. "The institution has an excellent reputation and I can't wait to contribute to the development and learning of the studentathletes there. It's a great opportunity for me to not only be a part of the athletics department team at Cap U, but also the volleyball community in North Vancouver and the province of B.C."
Bennett departs after bringing two years of stability to the Capilano program. The Blues changed head coaches at the end of every season from 2008 to 2012. In the 2012-13 season, his first year with the team, Bennett won the PacWest coach of the year award and guided the team to gold at the provincial championships and a fifth place finish at nationals. Bucking the trend, he stayed on for a second year and this season the Blues finished fourth in regular season play and lost in the quarterfinals at the provincial championships. Bennett has taken a position with Thompson Rivers University where he'll be an assistant with both the men's and women's teams as they make the move from CCAA to the CIS.
"Nathan did a great job and was a tremendous asset in the development of men's volleyball for Capilano University," said Capilano athletic director Milt Williams. "I wish him great success in his new endeavours."
