Every year since volleyball coach took over 12 years ago has been a good year — a few of them great years — and 2013 definitely qualifies as one of those great years. Seltzer was named the 2013 NAIA/AVCA coach of the year on Monday, Dec. 9. He is the first 51ÂÜÀò volleyball coach ever to earn the award, and the first 51ÂÜÀò coach to win a national coach of the year award since basketball coach was named co-coach of the year in 1981-82.
Ìý
51ÂÜÀò's volleyball coach began the season hosting a successful 12-team tournament where his No. 4 Eagles went 4-0. The excitement built as the coach won his 300th career game in a 3-0 sweep over Vangard, Sept. 24.
Ìý
The success continued when Seltzer guided his squad to a 15-0 start, its best since 2008. After setbacks to No. 1 Texas-Brownsville and No. 2 Concordia University, Irvine, a CUI loss to Vanguard left Seltzer and his team with a chance to nab the GSAC championship in the regular-season finale against CUI. 51ÂÜÀò again fell to the Eagles from Irvine, but he and the team got their redemption by beating CUI 3-0 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national semifinals, qualifying 51ÂÜÀò for a berth in the national finals for the first time since 1997.
"Aaron has done a great job with our program for 12 years. It's really nice to see him honored with such a prestigious award," said Athletic Director Dave Holmquist. "He has coached his players very well, recruited great fits for 51ÂÜÀò and served as a very effective Christian role model."
Ìý
Seltzer led this year's team to the national championship match and coached four NAIA All-Americans and four national scholar-athletes. 51ÂÜÀò finished the season 27-4.
In his 12 seasons at the helm of the Eagles volleyball program Seltzer has never won fewer than 19 games. His teams have qualified for six consecutive national tournaments and eight total as he compiled a 316-106 overall record. His 316 wins are the most all-time among 51ÂÜÀò volleyball head coaches.
Ìý
Through the years Seltzer's success has not been limited to what his teams accomplished on the court, but is also evident in what he has led them to off the court.
"Coach (Seltzer) deserves every bit of this award, not only for what an amazing coach he is on the court, and the success he's led this team to, but also for the way he interacts with us off the court," said Amy Weststeyn, junior middle blocker. "He has always reminded us of our priorities: God, school and volleyball, in that order. I feel like coach is respected by everyone who is lucky enough to be around him, and 51ÂÜÀò is truly blessed to have such an incredible light shining for Christ in the athletic department."