Luke Announced as Head Coach of New Men's Volleyball Program

(Hastings, NE) – Hastings College Athletic Director Chris Clements announced today that Gareth Luke will stay at the college following two years as a women's volleyball graduate assistant, as the head coach of the newly added men's volleyball program. Hastings becomes the first Nebraska college to add the men's volleyball program to their school.

"We are thrilled to keep Gareth around and believe that the coaching success that he had with our women's program will translate to our men's team," Athletic Director Chris Clements said. "The experience and relationships that he has built coaching here the last two years will be an added bonus as we start the first year of the men's volleyball program."

Luke served as an assistant coach for the women's volleyball program the last two years. He was actively involved in all aspects of coaching, including recruitment, scouting, practice planning, game strategy, and player development.

"First and foremost, I want to thank Chris Clements and Rich Lloyd for this incredible opportunity and for trusting me to lead our inaugural season. What excites me most about this upcoming season is the chance to embrace the challenge and help grow the sport by showcasing men's college volleyball—both here in Hastings and across the state of Nebraska," Luke said.

While coaching women's volleyball at Hastings College, he played a pivotal role in coaching and mentoring student-athletes, culminating in 17 NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors and eight CSC Academic All-District awards. He also had two players receive GPAC women's volleyball first team honors, one co-defender of the year, two second team, and two honorable mentions in 2024.

In addition to coaching at Hastings the last two years, he has also been the head coach of the Antelope Volleyball Club in Kearney, NE the last two years. In this role, he managed multiple age-level teams (12s, 17s, 18s), focusing on skill development, team cohesion, and overall player growth.

Luke initially came to Hastings after graduating from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. During that time, he was the head coach of the 18U Boys Ottawa Fusion Volleyball Club from 2020-2023. In his final season there, his team had a preseason ranking of #23 and ended with a final position of #4 in the Ontario Volleyball Association and #9 nationally in Canada.

"Fans can expect a high level of energy, a competitive and dynamic style of play, and a strong focus on building a winning culture. While boys' volleyball is still developing in Nebraska, my goal is to help put men's volleyball on the map and reinforce that Nebraska is truly the volleyball capital of the United States—whether it's women's or men's," Luke concluded.

Luke will look to steadily build the program in this first year, with the season set to start in the second semester.

Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Discover more at hastings.edu.