Barrett named Toronto Varsity Blues head coach

Source: Toronto Sports Info

TORONTO - Former CIS all-Canadian, CIS national champion and national team member, John Barrett, has been named the interim head coach of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's volleyball program, effective immediately.

The former Manitoba Bison standout has been an assistant coach with the Blues since 2006 and assumes the head coaching duties for the upcoming 2011-12 season.

"John brings a breadth of knowledge to the court," said Beth Ali, director of intercollegiate and high performance sport in the Faculty of Physical Education and Health. "He has incredible experience with the national program both as a player and as a coach. These skills have translated well with our student-athletes and they will undoubtedly benefit from his expertise."

Barrett's coaching resume speaks for itself. He's been involved with the national beach program since 2002 and was named the head coach of Canada's beach volleyball team for the 2003 Pan American Games.

Barrett's first association with U of T's men's program was in 2006, when he joined the staff as an assistant coach. He has continued in that role, while also serving as a coach at the national beach volleyball practice centre and as an active member of the national team selection committee. In 2007, Barrett guided his men's indoor volleyball team to an Ontario championship and was then asked to represent Canada at an international competition in El Salvador.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to be the head coach of the Varsity Blues," said Barrett. "It's an honour and privilege to be a part of this prestigious University and coach these exceptional student-athletes. I'm very excited to see what the future holds for this team and look forward to the challenges and rewards that lie ahead."

Following his high school graduation in 1981, Barrett enrolled at the University of Calgary and joined Canada's men's indoor volleyball team. His 15-year career with the national program was highlighted by his participation in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Barrett played his final year in the CIS at the University of Manitoba (1984-85) before moving onto to a productive 12-year professional career in Italy - the number one professional league in the world.