Chuck Erbe Retires As MSU's Volleyball Coach
12/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Dec. 2, 2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. - After 12 seasons at the helm of the Michigan State volleyball program and 24 years as a collegiate coach, Chuck Erbe has announced his retirement effective today.
"Chuck Erbe put Michigan State volleyball on the national map," MSU Athletics Director Ron Mason said. "The volleyball program's record of achievement on the court, in the classroom and in the community speaks for itself."
Erbe guided the Spartan volleyball program to a mark of 244-140 during his 12-year tenure at State. Since his arrival in East Lansing in 1993, Erbe led MSU to 10 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament (1994-2003), including appearances in the Regional Semifinals, Regional Finals and as a National Semifinalist in 1995. In addition, he guided MSU to back-to-back Big Ten titles in 1995 and '96.
In 1994, in his second season behind the bench, MSU was selected to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. MSU fell to Texas A&M in the first round, but the foundation for a successful future had clearly been established.
In just his third season at the helm of the MSU program, Erbe led the Spartans to their first-ever Big Ten championship -- and league finish higher than seventh -- in 1995 with a 19-1 conference record. The team also climbed into the national spotlight, earning their first-ever national ranking and climbing to as high as No. 3in the polls.
In just the team's second-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, MSU defeated previously unbeaten Hawaii before 10,000 fans in Honolulu in the Mountain Region final. The come-from-behind five-game victory propelled the Spartans into the national semifinals and the national limelight.
Despite a five-game loss to eventual national champion Nebraska, the Spartans put together their finest season in program history with a 34-3 overall record. MSU had also posted its first back-to-back winning seasons since 1979-80, while its 34 wins in 1995 were the most since 1976.
Erbe was recognized by his peers for his efforts in revitalizing the Spartan program, earning 1995 Big Ten, AVCA District 2 and AVCA National Coach of the Year honors. In addition, he was tabbed as the Volleyball Magazine National Coach of the Year.
The 2001 and 2002 teams posted back-to-back 21 wins seasons as the 2002 squad advanced to the NCAA Regional Semifinals before bowing out to Southern California. The 2003 squad narrowly missed out on a third consecutive 20-win season, finishing the year with a 19-12 mark and the team's 10th straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.
During his 12-year tenure, several Spartans have reaped the rewards of success. Dana Cooke and Val Sterk had the distinction of becoming MSU's first-ever All-Americans in 1995 as the duo earned AVCA All-America First-Team honors. In addition, Sterk (1996), Jenna Wrobel (1998), Erin Hartley (2001) and Kim Schram (2003) have also received All-America honors. In addition, Wrobel earned a spot on the 1995 Volleyball Magazine's Freshman All-America squad as well as Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.
Twenty-two different players have received All-Big Ten accolades, including Kim Schram who earned first-team distinction in both 2003 and 2004. Wrobel was the first Spartan to earn All-Big Ten First-Team honors for four straight years (1995-98), while Val Sterk was a three-time first-team honoree (1994-96) and Sarah Gustin, a two-time first-team honoree (1999 and 2000).
Academics have always been a trade mark of the Spartan volleyball program. Eleven different Spartans have been selected to CoSIDA Academic All-District IV Team, including Michelle Kopka who was a First-Team All-District selection in 2004. In addition, Dana Cooke (1995-third team and 1996-first team) and Val Sterk (1996-third team) earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors.
Since 1987, Spartan student-athletes have been cited by the Big Ten Conference 73 times for Academic All-Big Ten honors. In 2002, 11 different Spartans received academic all-conference honors, while in 2003, nine different players were honored.
Erbe has served on the U.S. National Team Review Committee since 1984 and is currently an advisor to the U.S. Women's National Team. In summer 2000, Erbe led the Spartans on a three-week tour of Europe. During the summers of 1997 and 1998, he spent time in Aukra, Norway, working with that country's national team and coaches and giving coaching clinics. In 1997, he also spent 10 days in Colorado Springs working with the National Team.
Erbe, who has a 24-year career record of 554-261-3, first entered the collegiate scene with a 12-year tenure (1976-77, 1979-88) as the head coach at the University of Southern California where he compiled a record of 310-121-3.
He led the Trojans to AIAW National Championships in 1976, 1977 and 1980, and to the NCAA National Championship in 1981, the first year of NCAA competition for women's sports. USC advanced to AIAW or NCAA Tournament play in 11 of his 12 years as head coach.
Erbe's first two teams at USC won AIAW National Championships with a combined record of 72-1. His 1977 squad, which amassed a perfect 38-0 record, included six All-Americans and is still considered by many to be the best collegiate volleyball team ever assembled. During his tenure, USC players earned All-America honors 24 times.
Internationally, Erbe led the United States women's team in the 1981 World University Games in Bucharest, Romania. In 1979, he served as an assistant coach for the women's U.S. National Team. Erbe headed the U.S. women's team in the 1974 World Volleyball Championships in Mexico City, Mexico, and led the United States to back-to-back titles in the Pacific Rim Junior Championships in 1975 and 1976. The 1975 win marked the first time in volleyball history that a USA team defeated Japan at any level of competition.
Erbe began his coaching career in 1973 at Marina High School in Huntington Beach, Calif., where he helped guide the team to a perfect 20-0 record and the National High School Volleyball Championship.
After leaving USC in 1988, Erbe spent one season (1989) as an assistant coach at Illinois and from 1990 until his appointment at MSU, he served as the Director of the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Chicago.
Born in Tulsa, Okla., Erbe attended Ripon College (Wis.) and Kansas before serving as a hospital Corpsman in the U.S. Navy from 1964-68. After leaving the Navy, Erbe completed his degree in physical education at Cal State Fullerton (1968-72).
Erbe is married to Rebecca, who works in MSU's compliance office.