Kodiaks men volleyball signs first recruit for the 2025-26 season

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks men’s volleyball team is thrilled to welcome its first recruit for the 2025-26 season, Josh Cooper.

Cooper is a six-foot-three outside hitter from Calgary, who attends Centennial High School. He is a product of the Lions U17 club team as well as Team Alberta during the 2023 season. Cooper was also a provincial all-star during this year’s U17 Championships. The Lions club team has seen incredible success medaling in Provincials as well as back-to-back Top 5 finishes at Club Nationals. He has been part of our provincial training group for the last few seasons and hopes to make the Canada Games team in 2025.

“Josh is hands down one of the best outsides in the 2025 grad class,” says head coach Greg Gibos. “I remember (Kodiaks assistant coach) Matt Primrose and I were watching the semifinal of a club tournament in March, and he said out of all the guys on the floor, we need to get that guy.”

Cooper has an incredible work ethic, and his coaches spoke highly of him. Gibos says Cooper’s interactions with his teammates also stood out. He was always encouraging and trying to push his group to the highest-level during moments of high stress.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Josh be a Kodiak and I know he echoes that sentiment,” says Gibos. His desire to be here was extremely high, and he’s going to be a tremendous addition to our community.”

“I’m just so thrilled to be able to call myself a Kodiak,” says Cooper. “I’ve always wanted to make my mom proud, and she’s a big reason for achieving this dream. She was such a tireless worker, and always supported my brother and I throughout all of our lives.”

Another inspiration is pro volleyball player, Ruben Schott. “He has always been a big inspiration for me because he is an undersized left side who plays at some of the highest levels in volleyball.”

Cooper says he felt immediately at home in Lethbridge. “There’s a coaching staff that believes in me, and the atmosphere created by the athletes and team is incredible. I really want to make a huge impact both on and off the court as the Kodiaks chase winning championships. The people are what make Lethbridge special.”

Cooper will be joining a dynamic group of Kodiak outsides and will bring a great mindset to both training and competition. “I want to be the hardest working athlete both on and off the court.”

The early commitment by Cooper is also a boost to the Kodiaks.

 “With Josh joining us early it really allows the rest of the class to take shape,” Gibos says. “I know people are going to want to play with him, and it is really going to elevate the conversations we have in 2025.”