BOSTON, Mass. – After a successful career as an assistant coach, all-time great Shannon Thompson '13 has been named the new head volleyball coach at Division I Canisius College.

Thompson, who was a three-time American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American, and two-time NCAA Regional champion with UMB, became the 13^th head coach in program history. 

"We are excited to welcome Shannon to the Canisius athletic department and the campus community," Maher said. "Shannon did a terrific job throughout our selection process and has worked her way up the coaching ladder.  At each stop, she has been able to identify and develop strong recruiting classes into quality student-athletes, while helping the members of the team grow both on and off the court. I look forward to working with her and our student-athletes as we chase the goal of a MAAC Championship."

"I would just like to thank Bill Maher, associate athletic director/SWA Lisa Liotta and the rest of the search committee for trusting me to lead this great group of young women," Thompson said. "During my time with the search committee, it was very clear that there is a passion for developing student-athletes using a holistic approach, and to help create a strong student-athlete experience. Canisius volleyball has a great foundation that I am excited to build upon and continue to create a winning culture."

Thompson takes over the Golden Griffin volleyball program after spending the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C. There, she helped build the Camels' program into one of the better teams in the Big South Conference, highlighted by the team's appearance in the Big South championship match last fall. In addition to her coaching responsibilities with Campbell's middle hitters, outside hitters and right-side hitters, she served as the program's camp director, travel coordinator and was the program's contact for alumni and donors.

During her playing career, Thompson guided the Beacons to four Little East Conference Championships, and led the Beacons to their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III National Tournament.  She was the first student-athlete in UMass Boston history to be named a four-time First Team All-LEC and three-time Offensive Player of the Year.  After graduating from UMass Boston, Thompson returned to the harbor campus as an assistant coach under AVCA Hall of Famer Terry Condon. 

Information for this release provided by Canisius College Sports Information Department