Men's Volleyball | 5/22/2023 9:26:00 AM
HOUGHTON, NY – Lindsay (Burgher) Seddon has been named head coach of the men's volleyball program at Houghton University, Director of Athletics Matthew Webb announced on May 22.
Seddon is the first head coach in the history of the program, which was added to Houghton's intercollegiate sports offerings in November and will begin play in 2023-24.
"We are thrilled that our search for our first men's volleyball coach has concluded with Lindsay Seddon returning to her alma mater to lay the foundation for Houghton men's volleyball," said Webb. "Not only was Seddon a standout athlete during her playing career at Houghton, she embodies what it means to represent Houghton and Christ both on and off the court. Her passion for excellence and her competitive drive will serve our student-athletes and the department well. The future of Houghton men's volleyball is bright."
Seddon was a four-year standout for the Highlander women's volleyball program from 2009-2012, playing in 104 matches and 362 sets during that span. She finished her career with 580 kills, 230 blocks and 231 digs. She capped her career in 2012 by leading the Highlanders to an 18-14 record and an appearance in the NCCAA Regional Tournament. She led the team with 257 kills, a .245 hitting percentage and 125 blocks during that campaign. She served as team captain during the 2012 season and was a member of Houghton's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
"The opportunity to coach the first Houghton men's volleyball season is truly an honor. It's a blessing to be coming back to a place I love with deep family roots. The Lord certainly has had his hand on this moment," said Seddon. "Using my passion for coaching and experience, I am prepared and motivated to set the standard high, focusing on championing excellence in all areas of the team, while establishing a program not just competitively, but as a culture: glorifying and representing Jesus by doing good work in all that we do.
"I wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for my encouraging husband, family, and friends, and all the wonderful coaches and opportunities I've had throughout my volleyball career. I can't thank AD Matthew Webb and Houghton University enough for their support in this exciting chapter."
Seddon returns to Houghton from Chester, England, where she ran her own hand letter press business since 2017. From 2017-2019, she was head coach of the women's volleyball team at the University of Chester, where she directed all aspects of the program, including player recruiting, practice and game day administration and player development.
Her first experience in college coaching was for Houghton following her playing career. She served as an assistant under Head Coach Nancy Cole during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, helping the Highlanders to a 37-28 record and the program's first-ever appearance in the Empire 8 Tournament. As an assistant, Seddon was involved with practice and gameday management, administrative support, player development, player recruitment and program promotion. She also served as a counselor and coach for Houghton's summer volleyball camp and helped lead the team's foreign tour to Nicaragua with Ignite International in 2015.
Seddon also brings coaching experience as an assistant for the USA Volleyball Regional High-Performance program in 2011. She assisted with the program's training camp in the USA Olympic Center in Lake Placid, N.Y., and at the High-Performance Championships in Tucson, Arizona.
Seddon holds a bachelor's degree in Fine Art from Houghton and a master's degree in Fine Art from University of Chester.
Seddon was a standout at Loudonville Christian School, helping lead the program to three sectional championships (2006-2008) and to a third-place finish in the NYSPHSAA State Tournament in 2006. She was recipient of the Central Hudson Valley League Outstanding Athlete Award in 2008. Additional playing experience includes participation on the USA Volleyball IREVA High Performance Team and participating in the USA Volleyball High Performance Championships in 2009. She also was a member of the Adirondack Team in the Empire State Games in 2010.
Houghton has a strong tradition of women's volleyball, and men's volleyball was an active club sport during the 1990s and early 2000s.
The competitive season for NCAA men's volleyball runs January to April.
Initial plans are to conduct a competitive season against local club and intercollegiate teams in year one with plans to join a regional NCAA Division III conference beginning in 2024-25.
The addition of men's volleyball will bring Houghton's list of varsity sports to 17. In addition, the department offers two club sports, with plans to expand those offerings in coming years.
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