University of Houston Athletics
Nickel Named Houston Assistant Volleyball Coach
10/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 4, 2002
Houston, Texas - Phil Nickel joins the Cougars under Head Coach Bill Walton and Assistant Nikki Shade in his first season as assistant coach for the women's volleyball program. His NCAA Division I volleyball experience includes two assistant coaching positions at Illinois State and Wright State, as well as a head coaching position at Thomas More College.
As an assistant at Illinois State, Nickel was responsible for all aspects of recruiting, team travel, scheduling and staff management, as well as player instruction and development. He was also involved in assisting with practice organization, scouting and game plan development.
While assistant coaching at Wright State, Nickel was responsible for recruiting, travel, scheduling and on-court coaching, as well as consulting strength and conditioning programs, incentives awards programs, and educational support of the athletes. He also published a quarterly newsletter for the team and organized charitable events and fundraising.
During his time as a head coach at Thomas More College, Nickel was responsible for all aspects of the volleyball program, including administrative and organizational duties within the program such as on-court coaching and skill development, recruiting, scheduling, travel, budget, and fundraising. He implemented a study table and promotional program and served as athletic facilities manager, supervising all functions and work-study staff at the Convocation Center.
Nickel is a committee member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association, which represents the interests of collegiate assistant volleyball coaches, and is also the Chair of the Professional Development Sub-Committee.
He coached the 17 Black Team for Illinois Juniors Volleyball Club to 5th place finishes in 2001 and 2002 and had four players named to the All-Tournament Team at USA Nationals. He coached the Dayton Juniors and Western Buckeye Volleyball Club and organized the Buckeye Classic, a 100+ team club tournament held at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Nickel has also served as a camp coordinator for Wright State and Thomas Moore as well as a camp instructor at Illinois State, Ohio State, and Miami camps.
Nickel attended Ohio Northern for two years where he played football and baseball. He then transferred to the University of Cincinnati and earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1995. Nickel furthered his education at Wright State University, where he was involved in the Athletics Administration Masters Program.
Nickel, a native of Richwood, Ohio, currently lives with his family in Houston. He and his wife, Michelle, have a son, Trey, 2.
