GROVE CITY — When it comes to winning volleyball, Brett Heckathorn has plenty of experience.

The 2015 Butler graduate started all four seasons at libero for Grove City College’s nationally-ranked men’s club volleyball program. He served as team captain his final two seasons.

Brett Heckathorn3/17/23

He’s been that club program’s co-advisor since the fall of 2019. He’s also been GCC’s assistant women’s volleyball coach for the past four years, helping that program accumulate 64 wins, four consecutive winning seasons and two postseason berths.

So when the announcement that the Wolverines were forming a varsity men’s volleyball program came on Dec. 14, Heckathorn seemed like the natural choice to take the reins.

He wasn’t so sure, though.

“I was definitely interested,” Heckathorn said. “I majored in business/economics and was always into numbers and statistics. I was looking at the area of statistics to be my sports career.

“When this announcement came ... I didn’t know if I’d be considered for it. I wasn’t sure I have been coaching long enough to be given an opportunity like this.”

Grove City’s administration was sure.

“I don’t know how many people applied, but I know Brett is a perfect choice,” GCC sports information director Ryan Briggs said. “He’s from this area and he has connections. His continual involvement with our club program will help in the transition.”

GCC athletic director Todd Gibson said in a written statement: “We are very excited to have Brett leading our program through this transition and into varsity competition. Brett is very familiar with our men’s program and he has been an integral part of the growth and success that our women’s volleyball program has achieved over the past four seasons.”

The Wolverines’ men’s volleyball team will begin intercollegiate play in January of 2025.

Bethany and Chatham are other Presidents’ Athletic Conference schools that will debut men’s volleyball teams that year. Geneva, Thiel and Saint Vincent already have teams.

“A minimum of six conference schools have to have teams in the sport for the conference champion to receive an automatic bid to the national tournament,” Briggs said.

GCC recently began men’s and women’s varsity lacrosse teams the same way, by building the sport through club success.

Heckathorn said the GCC men’s volleyball club team has 14 rostered players this season. Eight of those players will still be around when the varsity team makes its debut.

“I fully expect to contend for the PAC Championship that first year,” Heckathorn said. “There are 130 Division III teams and if we were to begin (varsity) play right now with players who are here, we’d rank somewhere in the 70’s.

“Once we get into recruiting and with our reputation, we’ll be in the top 50 by the time we actually start playing. We’re going about this the right way.”

GCC women’s volleyball head coach Leo Sayles will serve as Heckathorn’s assistant on the men’s team. Heckathorn will continue his duties as the women’s assistant coach.

“Leo brings head coaching experience to the bench with me. He’ll be a big help. I’ll continue to learn from him,” Heckathorn said.

Heckathorn has also served as assistant sports information director and Director of Student Recreation at Grove City. He was a three-year starter on Butler’s boys volleyball team.

Men’s volleyball will be the 24th varsity sport at Grove City.

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