KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBC Okanagan Department of Athletics and Recreation is pleased to announce that Scott Koskie has been hired as the next head coach for the Heat men's volleyball program.
 
Koskie, who was a setter for the Canadian men's national team for 13 years, brings over 20 years of coaching experience at the international, national and collegiate level to UBCO.
 
For the past nine years, Koskie has held the role of Provincial Performance Coach for Volleyball Manitoba. Additionally, he's held multiple roles with Volleyball Canada during his career, including assistant coach with the senior men's and women's national teams and head coach for the U18 and U20 women's teams.
 
"With over two decades of experience in the world of elite-level volleyball at the collegiate, national, professional, and international levels, we are very excited about recruiting someone of Scott's abilities and passion for the sport and what that will mean for our men's volleyball players and program as well as Heat Athletics," said Heat Director of Athletics and Recreation Tom Huisman on the hiring of Koskie."
 
"Volleyball is incredibly popular in the Okanagan and the youth development pathways are equally strong. Scott's impressive track record of talent development and community engagement will complement and build upon those already developed local strengths. That combination will certainly be of benefit to both UBCO and to the already impressive local volleyball scene," added Huisman.
 
"I would like to thank Tom Huisman, the hiring committee, and UBC Okanagan for the opportunity to join Heat Athletics and lead the men's volleyball program," said Koskie, who brings experience from over 450 international matches as a player and a coach to the Heat. "This group has a bright future and it will be exciting to help them reach their goals on and off the court. I am a person who believes relationships are a key to success. I will work hard to ensure that everyone feels valued and contributes towards our pursuit of excellence. I look forward to bringing my experiences as a coach and player to this exceptional community."
 
Koskie began his coaching career while still competing as a player, serving in various assistant and head coaching roles in Europe. Following the conclusion of his playing career in 2008, he served three years as head coach of Team Manitoba's men's team, highlighted by winning the 18U national championship in 2010, before moving back onto the international stage with Volleyball Canada.
 
He started with Team Canada as an assistant coach with the senior women's team in 2010. During his tenure with the program, he helped lead the team to appearances at both the 2010 World Championship in Japan and the 2014 World Championship in Italy. Additionally, he attended his third Pan-Am Games in 2011, after competing in the event twice as a player.
 
In 2019, he took on the head coaching role with the women's U18 team, leading the team at both the 2019 and 2021 FIVB World Championships. His Canadian team would finish 14^th at the World Championship in 2019, Canada's first time competing at the event in 20 years, and 16^th at the 2021 event.
 
He returned to the men's game in 2021, serving first as an assistant coach at the men's National Excellence Program then with the senior men's team, helping the team win silver at the 2023 NORCECA Championship.
 
Koskie is well-versed in the world of Canadian university sport having suited up as a player with the University of Manitoba Bisons between 1989 and 1995. During his playing career at Manitoba, he won the national championship on two occasions, was the national player of the year and a three-time all-Canadian. He also earned the distinction of a Top 8 Academic All-Canadian and was a nominee for the CIAU Athlete of the Year.
 
He also served as an assistant coach for the Bisons between 2008 and 2010, as well as during the 2019-20 season, which was the final season for Garth Pischke, his former coach at Manitoba as well as during portions of his career with Team Canada.
 
Following his playing career with the Bisons, he went on to enjoy a storied international career with the Canadian men's national team, playing in over 320 international matches for Canada and serving as team captain for six years, while also playing eleven years professionally in Europe. Among the highlights of his playing career was winning the bronze medal with Canada at the Pan Am Games as well as being named 'Best Setter' at the 2005 NORCECA Championship in Winnipeg, where Canada won the bronze medal.
 
Koskie will officially begin his new role on August 12 as he prepares for his first season with the Heat.