Greg Ryan
Head Volleyball Coach

Greg Ryan, the former men's volleyball coach from the University of Calgary has been named the new women's volleyball coach at MSU-Northern.

According to MSU Northern's Director of Athletics, Dave Gantt, "We are extremely fortunate to have landed a coach with Greg's experience and credibility within the international volleyball world. He brings with him a tremendous network of support and will have an immediate impact on our program"

Greg was the senior member of the Dinos coaching staff, just completing his 21 st season as head coach of the Dinos men's volleyball team. A native Calgarian, Greg played high school volleyball in Calgary before joining the Dinos. He was a starting member of the 1977 Canada West Conference Championship team that was the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Silver Medalists.

Ryan began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the women's team and served as interim head coach in 1984 while he was employed with the Calgary Board of Education. He became the head coach of the men's team in 1985.

During his tenure as head coach he has coached the Dinos to CIS National Championships in 1989 and 1993, the CIS Silver Medal in 1992, and the CIS Bronze Medal in 1988 and 2001. On three other occasions his teams were CIS semi finalists. In addition his teams have captured five Canada West Conference titles. His conference coaching record is 202 wins and 134 losses (60%) and he has been conference Coach of the Year on five occasions.

The Dinos have competed in five of the last seven CIS National Tournaments under Ryan. They have made 13 trips to the National Tournament in his 20 years as head coach. At the Nationals the Dinos have posted the third best won loss percentage of all teams winning 30 and losing 17 matches for 64% winning percentage.

Ryan has also coached internationally coaching the Canadian team at the World University Games in Zagreb, Yugoslavia; Sheffield, England; and Sicily, Italy. Many of his former players have played internationally for Canada and/or professionally overseas. He coached at the FISU Games again in the summer of 2003 leading Canada to a seventh place finish.

Greg has also been active with the Canadian Volleyball Association serving on various committees and is a certified Level IV Course Instructor for the National Coaching Certification Program. His service to the sport was recognized as the Calgary Booster Club as an Athletic Leader honored him in May 2001 for developing athletes at the club level as well as mentoring young coaches. Greg serves on the domestic competition committee for Volleyball Canada.

Ryan is a graduate of the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Education degree and attained his Master of Kinesiology (in art and science of coaching) degree in 1993. Greg and his wife Alyson have four children: Jessica 18, Joshua 17, Anna and Luke 14.

Alyson Ryan
Assistant Coach

Alyson Ryan was born in a tiny town called Hay Lakes, Alberta and established herself as a terrific volleyball and track and field athlete. She played at the University of Alberta from 1977-79 and the University of Ottawa from 79-81. She played with Canada's Jr National team from 1978-1980 and was captain in 1980. Alyson then went on to Canada's senior National team from 1981-1983 representing Canada in numerous international matches including the World Student Games in Bucharest in 1981.

After having 4 children Alyson has returned to play in three U.S. opens, winning a bronze medal in 2005. Recently, Alyson's team won a gold medal in the World Master's Games in Edmonton, Alberta defeating a team from Moscow in the final. One of Alyson's greatest assets is as a blocker. Her chief role with the Skylights will be passing along that blocking knowledge.

Tammy Mitchell Boles, `91, will continue as an assistant coach. Boles graduated from NMC (MSU Northern) in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She has been involved with the Northern athletic programs in some form or another since 1987. She has been married to her husband David since 1993 and they have 3 kids Michaela (9), Jerod (6), and Janae (2). This is her 2nd year in assisting with the Skylights volleyball program.