Fitzpatrick, Howdeshell Selected to Lead Rivier Men’s Volleyball Program

NASHUA, N.H. – Casey Fitzpatrick has been named Head Coach of the Rivier University men's volleyball program, as announced by Director of Athletics Jonathan Harper on Friday. In addition, Torie Howdeshell has been appointed as the team's Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator.

"I am excited to welcome Coach Fitzpatrick to our staff of talented coaches. He has an impressive record of success in Division III men's volleyball," said Harper. "I am looking forward to Casey reinforcing the success of Rivier volleyball on a regional and national level."

Fitzpatrick joins the Raiders from Nichols College where he served as the institution's Head Men's Volleyball Coach for two seasons and the Head Women's Volleyball Coach for three campaigns. In addition, he previously led the men's volleyball program at Adrian University from 2019 to 2021.

Howdeshell comes to Rivier after leading the men's and women's volleyball programs at Elms College. She began her Blazers tenure as the Head Men's Volleyball Coach, posting a 15-win season in 2022, before taking on the head coaching role with the women's program that fall.

"I want to thank Jonathan Harper, Paul Brower, Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, and the entire search committee for the opportunity to lead this program," said Fitzpatrick. "I am honored to be entrusted with a program that has a rich history of success and also excited to foster a new era of Raider volleyball."

At Nichols, Fitzpatrick piloted the Bison to a 16-13 record in his first season before the team secured a New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) runner-up finish in 2022 with 15 victories in 26 matches. The team produced a 22-win season in 2023, claiming its first NECC championship victory and earning Nichols' first top-15 national ranking in the process.

During the team's championship season, Fitzpatrick mentored three AVCA Division III All-Northeast Region Team selections, the most of the 28 teams in the region. The team finished as the league-leader in several statistics, including assists per set (11.07), hitting percentage (.277), and kills per set (11.91).

Fitzpatrick, who began his coaching career at Nichols as an assistant, wrapped up his women's volleyball head coaching career with 35 victories in three seasons. In 2022, his team ranked eighth in NCAA Division III in service aces per set (3.31).

Following his first season at Adrian in 2020, Fitzpatrick was honored as the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League (MCVL) Coach of the Year while steering his team to a first-place finish in the standings. Five Bulldogs earned All-League honors and he mentored the league's Offensive Player of the Year.

A native of Haverhill, Massachusetts, Fitzpatrick received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Russell Sage College in 2018. The four-year standout for the Gators finished his career as the program's all-time leader in matches played (119) and digs (884).

Howdeshell hails from Fairbanks, Alaska and was a three-year letterwinner in women's volleyball at Western New England where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience in 2017. She earned a Master's degree in Sports Leadership and Coaching from her alma mater in 2021 while serving as a Graduate Assistant coach for the program.

"I am extremely thankful and excited to be joining the Raider family," said Howdeshell. "I am looking forward to hitting the ground running and building on the program's legacy."

Howdeshell also gained valuable coaching experience at Saint Anselm College, serving as the top assistant for the women's volleyball program in 2017 and 2018. Howdeshell helped the Hawks to back-to-back NCAA Division II postseason appearances, the first in program history, and a combined 33 victories.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT CASEY FITZPATRICK

John Post, Women's Volleyball Assistant Coach, Yale University

"Casey has a great eye for talent and is a tremendous recruiter. He is a proven winner who will empower his student-athletes. This is a fantastic hire for Rivier."

Nick Basco, Men's Volleyball Graduate Assistant, Farleigh Dickinson University

"Casey is a strong leader who understands the importance of buying into a program culture. His ability to build a winning program comes from his dedication to the sport and the belief to always have each other's backs."