2023 ACAC Men's Volleyball Coaches of the Year
Edmonton, AB (February 22, 2023) -
North Coach of the Year: Sam Tu'ivai
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is proud to announce Sam Tu’ivai of the Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) Wolves has been named the ACAC Men’s Volleyball North Coach of the Year.
Coach Tu’ivai has had a positive impact on the NWP Wolves Athletics program since he started with the wolf pack in 2016. With over 20 years of experience in both playing and coaching volleyball, Tu'ivai's dedication to the sport is evident when watching him interact with his team. He is passionate and dedicated to the on-and off-court development of his athletes.
“The leadership, competitiveness and dedication Sam has created with the team is a testament to his incredible coaching standards,” said Lauren Hale-Miller, Acting Athletics Manager for NWP Wolves. “His players have a great deal of respect for him. It has been very rewarding to watch this year’s team compete and execute game plans so precisely. We are truly lucky to have such a dedication and passionate coach at NWP.”
Tu'ivai's coaching excellence is no surprise to the NWP Wolves Athletic program due to him earning this title twice before. The first time in 2016, when he coached the then GPRC Wolves Women's Volleyball team to an ACAC Silver Medal and 4th place at Nationals. The second time being in 2020 when it changed the momentum of the Wolves Men’s Volleyball program.
"We are excited to honour Sam with this award for a third time, and to have his expertise leading our athletes. We all look forward to where next season will take this team,” said Hale-Miller.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2023 ACAC Men’s Volleyball Championship hosted by Keyano College in Fort McMurray, AB.
South Coach of the Year: Jose Caceres
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is proud to announce Jose Caceres of the Ambrose Lions has been named the ACAC Men’s Volleyball South Coach of the Year.
Jose is in his first year coaching the Ambrose Lions and has turned the team around significantly. From a 2-14 last place record in the 2021-22 season to an 8-11 playoff contending team this season, his group is playing with a joy and confidence that flows from the very nature of who Jose is as a coach and as a person.
A couple notable season highlights have been winning a dramatic Home Opener against the feisty Olds College Broncos, upsetting the North #1 ranked Kings Eagles in regular season play, and finishing in 5th place in the competitive South division and advancing to the playoffs.
Jose has coached professionally in Europe and South America and on the St. Lucian and Peruvian National teams, and the Canadian and Albertan volleyball communities are very fortunate to have him in our ranks. Ambrose Athletic Director, Colin Kubinec writes, “We are so grateful to have Jose in our midst. He has not only elevated the play of our Men’s Volleyball team, but he continuously elevates our entire Athletic Department and all those around him by his passion, wisdom, and excellence. His joy, sportsmanship, and quality methodologies embody the values and aspirations of both the Ambrose Lions and the ACAC.”
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2023 ACAC Men’s Volleyball Championship hosted by Keyano College in Fort McMurray, AB.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, ACAC
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Danielle Smith, Northwestern Polytechnic Wolves
Manager, Communications and Marketing
780-539-2954
DSmith@nwpolytech.ca
Colin Kubinec, Ambrose University Lions
Director of Athletics & Campus Recreation
403-410-2000 ext. 2983
ckubinec@ambrose.edu
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