GOSHEN, Ind. — Kourtney Crawford, a former University of Indianapolis standout and assistant coach, has been named the new head women’s volleyball coach at Goshen College. Director of athletics Harold Watson tabbed Crawford as the 11th coach in program history on Thursday.
Crawford comes to Goshen after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater, helping the Greyhounds to 32 wins in 2017 and 2018. She was responsible for tracking serving in real time during matches in addition to coordinating team travel, study tables and game film.
She has also worked on the club scene for six seasons, split between the South Indy Volleyball Club and The Academy Volleyball Club. Working in both head and assistant coaching positions, she managed practice plans and schedules for players between 14 and 18 years old, including private lessons for skills training and conditioning. Crawford has also worked on the high school level, spending 2015 as an assistant varsity coach at Warren Central High School and 2016 as the head freshman coach at Bishop Chatard High School.
“What drew me to Goshen the most was the family atmosphere,” Crawford said. “When I came to campus, everyone I encountered was welcoming and supportive. I also love that Goshen is a campus where you can openly worship God! I am excited to get better and learn, and there is so much that I will learn from my colleagues, my team and the community. I am also excited to live out my passion for the game on a daily basis.”
“Kourtney is an outstanding young coach who separated herself from a deep pool of candidates,” said Watson. “Beyond her winning experience with the UIndy program, coach Crawford also brings a number of other key attributes to the Goshen athletic department including positivity, drive for success and an unmatched thirst for knowledge. What stood out to the committee was her ability to help our young women grow in all facets of their life, including spiritually, academically and athletically.”
Crawford played four years as a right-side hitter for the Greyhounds, who posted a 121-27 record from 2009 to 2012. She was a third-team all-Great Lakes Valley Conference pick in 2009, won a pair of conference championships and finished her career at the NCAA Division II national semifinals in 2012. A general studies major, she graduated in 2014 with minors in psychology and child and youth programming.
“I know what it is like to be on a championship team and I have done the work that goes into getting there, so that is something I’m excited to bring to Goshen,” Crawford said. “I will also bring my drive for success; I am a very driven person, and when there is something that I want, I will go to great lengths to accomplish it. But what I’m looking forward to most is getting to know the team and creating relationships with them and my new Goshen family.”
Crawford replaces Jim Routhier, who retired this winter after 32 seasons as a head volleyball coach, the last 10 at Goshen.
She will begin her duties at GC on March 1.
In Crawford’s Corner: What They’re Saying About Kourtney Crawford
Jason Reed, head women’s volleyball coach, University of Indianapolis:
“I am so excited for Kourtney. She helped revive our program at UIndy and was a big reason for our turnaround. I am excited to watch her take the reins of her own program. She will impact the program in a great way both on and off the court.”
Cheneta Robinson, head women’s volleyball coach, Spalding University:
“I met Kourtney at the University of Indianapolis where we played volleyball together. Shortly after we finished, we started coaching together at a small club on the south side of Indianapolis. Kourt is a great coach and really puts everything she has into the group of girls she is working with. She coaches with such enthusiasm and emotion that her players gravitate towards her. She is a great person to lead this program and build a culture of hard working and exemplary young women. In the time I have known Kourtney she has express such a love for the sport and growing as an educator in the sport. I have had the pleasure of watching Kourtney transition from a player to an assistant coach and now to a head coach. I look forward to watching Kourtney develop and watching the success of the Goshen volleyball program.
Travis Fuller, director of coach and player development, The Academy Volleyball:
“Kourtney will bring a tremendous amount of passion and energy to the Goshen College volleyball program. She has been surrounded by great leadership and I have no doubt she will bring that wealth of knowledge with her to Goshen.”