Volleyball Coach to Retire
Longtime volleyball coach Kathie Woods has announced her retirement from coaching at the end of the school year. Woods has been the head coach at Clackamas Community College since the 1983-84 season.
“Coaching volleyball at Clackamas has been the most fun and rewarding profession in the world to me,” Woods said. “It has truly been an honor and I have loved every minute. I am excited to see what the next chapter in my life holds.”
Woods is a native of Dallas, Ore., who coached for two years at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany before arriving at Clackamas. During her career she amassed an 836-522 record for a 61.6 winning percentage. This year she surpassed the 800 victory mark. Her 836 wins is the most by a volleyball coach in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) and a mark surpassed by only five other two-year volleyball coaches in the history of junior college athletics.
During her 32 years of coaching at CCC, Woods was named NWAACC coach of the year three times, won two league championships, and was named Fellowship of Christian Athletes coach of the year. Her 1996 team finished the season 12-0 in the region and 50-9 overall, winning the college’s first NWAAC championship. The team was inducted into the NWAACC Hall of Fame in 2008
For Woods, coaching her students goes far beyond the volleyball competition. She coaches her students to “give 100 percent to school, volleyball and life.” Her teams have been recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) eight out of the last 10 years for the Team Academic Award, given to teams that achieve a combined 3.3 team grade point average. Woods’ players also perform community service, assisting at college events and holding an annual fundraiser to benefit care for animals with cancer.
“I want my girls to leave here being responsible young adults who are willing to give and not always receive,” Woods said. “I want them to make their own decisions and be responsible for them, even when they make mistakes.”
Sarah Hoeke, a CCC alumna, who played for Woods, will take over as coach on July 1. “I am so thrilled that Sarah will be taking over the helm,” Woods said.” She shares my coaching philosophy, and I just know she will do a fantastic job. I am excited to see her and the program grow into even higher heights. Once a Cougar, always a Cougar.”
