Meet Hansen McIlvaine, Blackhawk’s new Women’s Volleyball coach.
Coach McIlvaine is one of six new coaches at Blackhawk, supporting the college's new sports, including men’s golf, coed clay target shooting, women’s volleyball, coed bowling, and men’s and women’s basketball.
Leading the inaugural season for the new Talons Women’s Volleyball Team, Coach McIlvaine said he plans to bring a level of energy and positivity that is palpable as soon as you enter the gym. He hopes that will fuel the enjoyment of the game and maintain a positive, uplifting perspective, he said.
Coach McIlvaine also believes that strong programs are built on the trust between the coaches and athletes, specifically in the athletes to perform within their own specific skill sets.
“When my athletes know I trust their ability, it allows them to play more freely and with fewer minuscule errors,” he said.
Coach McIlvaine attended Union Grove High School and St. Catherine’s High School in Racine, where he participated in volleyball, basketball and track. He also started coaching youth volleyball. As a student at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, he helped coach the men’s club volleyball team.
Drawing inspiration from the championship-winning coaching he witnessed in multiple sports through his playing years, Coach McIllvaine went on to help coach the Craig High School Girl’s Volleyball Team and volleyball and basketball at Fort Atkinson High School.
Coming off a regional championship win with the Fort Atkinson Girl’s Volleyball Team last season, Coach McIlvaine’s focus for the new Talons Women’s Volleyball Team is player development. He said he would strive to create opportunities for his student-athletes to play after their time at Blackhawk.
While coaching will be his focus, Coach McIlvaine said he also believes in providing the student-athletes with whatever they need to progress academically, which will include holding program-wide study sessions throughout the school year.
“My mission is to create a positive, uplifting environment on and off the court for my entire program. Our aim is to excel in the classroom, give it all in the gym, and be a pillar of the local volleyball and athletics community,” he said.
The inaugural volleyball season for the Blackhawk Talons kicks off in Rockford on Aug. 23, with the first home game happening on Sept. 5 against Bryant & Stratton College.
Students interested in learning more about Blackhawk Athletics can visit blackhawk.edu/athletics or reach out to Athletic Director Todd Voss at athletics@blackhawk.edu.