1/5/2026
Spalding University has made a strong choice for its inaugural men’s volleyball program by naming Eric Garvey as head coach. Athletic Director Brian Clinard selected a coach with deep roots in the sport and a proven track record of building successful programs.
Garvey’s volleyball pedigree runs deep. As the son of a volleyball coach, he grew up immersed in the sport, developing both his playing skills and coaching philosophy from an early age. That foundation has translated into an impressive 16-year tenure as Owner, Club Director, and Head Coach at Union Volleyball Club, where he built and managed a program serving over 500 athletes.
His high school coaching resume is particularly noteworthy. From 2007 to 2016 at Sacred Heart Academy, Garvey established himself as one of Kentucky’s premier coaches, earning two state runner-up finishes and the distinction of having teams ranked #1 nationally on two separate occasions. Even more impressive, his teams finished in the top 50 nationally in all nine seasons. He has also coached at Saint Xavier High School, Mercy Academy, and Christian Academy.
Garvey’s coaching journey began at the University of Louisville in 1998, where he served as Women’s Volleyball Student Manager and Graduate Assistant for three seasons. During that time, the Cardinals won two conference championships and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16. Most recently, he has coached at Kentucky Indiana Volleyball Club (KIVA), leading both the Girls 18-1 Red and Boys 17-1 Red teams.
As a player, Garvey was a trailblazer, competing on Kentucky’s first-ever high school boys’ team at Saint Xavier and playing club for KJVA. He continued his playing career on the University of Kentucky’s club team under legendary coach Rob Holley. Post-college, Garvey competed at the Open level throughout the Midwest in indoor, beach, and grass volleyball, including two AVP Qualifiers and multiple Open division tournament championships at events like Marshall Madness, Chicago Luau, Derby Festival, and Operation Brightside.
Volleyball runs in the Garvey family. His brother Todd coaches Division I women’s volleyball, and his sister Casey was a High School All-American setter who played at Sanford University.
Building From Scratch
Garvey brings not only technical expertise and recruiting acumen but also the entrepreneurial skills needed to launch a program from the ground up. His experience building Union Volleyball Club from scratch mirrors the challenge ahead at Spalding, where he has established the culture, recruited the first class, and set the foundation for long-term success.
The inaugural 2026 roster reflects Garvey’s recruiting reach, with 10 freshmen representing six states from Illinois to Texas to Louisiana. The team features a balanced lineup with multiple outside hitters, middle blockers, and defensive specialists. Three players hail from Louisville’s Trinity High School, providing a local foundation, while others come from competitive volleyball hotbeds including the Dallas suburbs and the Chicago area.
Spalding will compete as a member of the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League (MCVL), facing established programs like Calvin, Wittenberg, Mount Union, and Trine. The Golden Eagles open their inaugural season with a challenging road trip, playing at Westminster and Southwest Baptist on January 23 before facing Greenville the following day. Their first home match comes February 3 when they host LeMoyne-Owen and Midway in a doubleheader at Columbia Gym in Louisville.
The 21-match schedule includes 11 home dates and balances conference competition with opportunities against regional opponents like Franklin, Kentucky State, and St. Mary of the Woods. The season culminates with the MCVL Tournament on April 10-11.
For a new Division III program looking to make its mark, Spalding has found a coach with the experience, connections, and passion to build something special.
Off the court, Garvey resides in Louisville with his wife Kaitlin and their four children: Annabelle, Brady, Cami, and Logan. He stays active in adult volleyball leagues and enjoys boating, snowboarding, and time with family and friends.
For more information, contact Coach Garvey at egarvey01@spalding.edu