Kodiaks announce assistant coaching additions

Oct. 23, 2020 – The Lethbridge College Kodiaks have filled out its roster of coaches for the upcoming season, as men’s volleyball, cross country, indoor track and the soccer programs will all welcome new assistant coaches to the sidelines for the 2020-21 season.

MVB | Andre Arsenault

A long-standing connection has brought forward a new assistant coach to the Kodiaks men’s volleyball program, as Andre Arsenault joins the coaching squad headed by Greg Gibos.  

The duo have a relationship that dates back to 2007, when Gibos first coached Arsenault as a player at W.P. Wagner High School in Edmonton. 

“I remember walking into the try-outs during the season and asking the assistant coach, ‘who is this grade 10 kid digging up every single ball?’” recalls Gibos.   

Arsenault went on to enjoy a successful playing career which included two Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference all-star nods while playing with Medicine Hat College. He completed his playing career as a libero with MacEwan University (USPORTS), piling up several individual records for the Griffins.

As a gay athlete, Arseneault also received accolades for overcoming adversity and helping pave the way for the LGBTQ+ athletes to succeed and thrive in post-secondary athletics. 

Though he recently completed his playing career, Arsenault brings plenty of coaching experience to the Kodiaks.

“His biggest impact hasn’t been on the court, but how much he’s done for the game of volleyball in Alberta,” says Gibos. “Andre has been a coach with the Northern Alberta Volleyball Club (NAVC) which brought home three provincial championships. Along with this, he has also been the Director for Volleyball Alberta summer camps for three years. When you are looking at how many athletes Andre has positively impacted, it’s a huge number. Ultimately he wants what is best for every athlete, and to share his love for the sport.”

Andre is also actively involved as the Technical Director for Pursuit Volley, an organization geared towards the development and growth of the game across the province. 

Gibos says he thought the assistant coaching offer he extended was a “long shot,” but the timing for Arsenault to join the staff proved to be just right.

“Andre and I have always exchanged messages to check in and congratulate each other on our success over the years. This summer I extended an offer to join the coaching staff as a long shot. He had just completed his Bachelor of Education from the U of A and was looking for a new adventure. Within a few short weeks he had lined up a teaching job at Wilson Middle School and the rest is history. We’re lucky that he has chosen to work with our athletes and he will be a tremendous addition to our coaching staff.”

SOC | Micaela Stone

On the soccer pitch, Micaela Stone will be transitioning from the Kodiaks net to the sidelines as the team’s new goaltending coach.

Stone transferred to Lethbridge College for the 2019 season and had a huge affect in net for the Kodiaks, helping her team secure a first-place finish in the ACAC south division and an ACAC bronze medal. 

After completing her final year of eligibility, she now brings her experience to the Kodiaks sidelines.

XC | Nick Ontkean & Ricardo Quesada

Kodiaks cross country and indoor track head coach Simon Schaerz will also be adding a pair of new faces to his staff.

Ricardo Quesada will assume the role of the program’s resistance training coach. Quesada is a graduate of Lethbridge College’s Exercise Science program and is a registered CSEP-CPT. A native of Winnipeg, Man., Quesada says he will “bring a scientific worldview to his role as a coach.”

In addition, Nick Ontkean will also officially join the coaching staff after assisting the team as a strength coach last year. Ontkean is a certified athletic therapist and will work exclusively with the speed and power group this season.