CALGARY – A former Dino with a long history of success as a player and coach in his sport is returning to his roots.
University of Calgary women's volleyball coach Natalie Schwartz announced Tuesday that Al Taylor will join the Dinos' coaching staff for the 2012-13 varsity season.
Taylor, who was a player in the early days of volleyball at the University of Calgary,
has been associated with the sport for more than 40 years at all levels – a career that started with the Dinos in 1968.
“Al is a highly-respected man in the volleyball community with a resume that speaks for itself,” said Schwartz, who heads into her second season at the helm this fall. “It's a privilege to have a coach of this reputation join our team for the 2012-13 season. He adds a wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise to our program. I'm excited to see the impact he will have on our team this fall.”
Taylor, the 1973 University of Calgary male athlete of the year, represented Canada internationally from 1972-81. He was captain of the Canadian team at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal and travelled extensively throughout the world during his national team career, competing in two Summer Universiades, a pair of world championships, and two Pan Am Games – among a lengthy list of other international competitions.
In 1976, Taylor began a 30-year career as a high school volleyball coach in Calgary, coaching at Dr. E.P. Scarlett, Sir Winston Churchill, and Centennial until his retirement in 2006. His coaching resume also includes stints as the head coach of the Canadian FISU Games team, along with two tours as an assistant coach with the men's national team program.
Taylor was honoured by the Calgary Senior High School Athletics Association in 1996 with an award named in his honour. The Al Taylor Award is presented annually by the Calgary Booster Club to the top male high school volleyball player of the year. In 1991 the Calgary Booster Club gave him its Honoured Athletic Leader Award in recognition of his work in both basketball and volleyball.
He was inducted into the Volleyball Canada Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Alberta Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2005.
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