Cole to Step Away from Volleyball Program for 2017 Season, Starks to Serve as Interim Head Coach
HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Houghton College volleyball Head Coach
Nancy Cole will be stepping away from the sidelines for the 2017 season due to medical reasons, Houghton Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics H. "Skip" Lord announced this week.
Cole, who completed her 21
st season in 2016 and is the program leader in coaching wins with 359, was diagnosed with breast cancer this spring. She is working closely with her doctors and family to develop the best plan of attack medically.
Brianne Starks, who has served as Cole's assistant over the past year, will serve as interim head coach for the coming campaign. Starks graduated from Houghton in 2013 after a four-year career as a Highlander. She came to Houghton from a successful program in Portville, winning a NYS Class D State Title as a senior.
"Nancy has been the face of Houghton volleyball for more than 20 seasons and she will remain a vital part of our Highlander family as she takes this time to focus on her health," said Lord. "We continue to pray for her complete healing, and I know that she and her family covet the prayers from Houghton alumni and friends as she faces this battle.
"This is obviously a very challenging time for the team, but I am confident that Coach Starks will step up to the challenge of leading the program as the 2017 season approaches. She led the volleyball camp this summer and did a very good job. I also know the caliber of the women on this team and have no doubt that they will rally around Coach Starks, pray for Coach Cole, and do amazing things this season."