2022 AVCA Diversity Awards

Lexington, Ken. – Academy of Art volleyball Assistant Coach Nick Monroe has been bestowed the honor of one of 18 Diversity Awards announced by the American Volleyball Coaches Association's Diversity Development Team earlier this week.

"Being a recipient of the 2022 AVCA Diversity Award speaks to the dedication, passion, and respect I have for being able to coach a sport that I love," Monroe said. "I'm very fortunate to be in a position to where I can provide for my family while doing one of the things I enjoy the most in coaching. Receiving this award is another step in the right direction of continuing my desire to be the best coach I can be."

The coach development program, which originated in 2015, recognizes 18 up-and-coming volleyball leaders and helps fund their chance to experience the 2022 AVCA Convention. The Diversity Award program is a key component of the AVCA Diversity Development Team's efforts to advance the sport and continue to move forward with initiatives that lead to substantive change for society and the volleyball community. Including this year's 18 members, the total number of coaches who have received this honor is 131.

"I didn't start playing volleyball until I was senior in high school, but instantly fell in love with the sport because of how team-oriented it is," Monroe said. "Unlike some sports, volleyball is a complete team sport and, regardless of athletic ability, anyone can be successful and have fun playing it. Sharing my knowledge of sport and volleyball with the youth along with how these activities can build character and create opportunities for life lessons, I knew this is what I was meant to be doing."

Pursuit of Monroe's calling in life will continue at this year's AVCA Convention where Diversity Award recipients will participate in a series of educational seminars, many of which focus on professional and personal development for coaches, and take part in additional relationship-building experiences.

For Monroe, his debut as a collegiate coach with Academy of Art this season represents another important step in his career giving back to the sport he loves.

"While watching film on a potential recruit, I noticed the student-athlete was at a camp that was majority student-athletes of color," Monroe said. "I did a little more digging and found the camp to be called 'HB See You,' which is a volleyball combine and exposure camp. Being that I am a coach of several ethnic backgrounds, I was very intrigued and excited that something like that existed. It also made me reflect on my experiences when I was in high school and looking into different college opportunities. Given the opportunity to do so, I would love to be able to speak to young student-athletes of color about my experiences and shed light on all the opportunities that are out there for them."