Nov. 20, 2003

St. Louis - Saint Louis University volleyball head coach Marilyn McReavy Nolen has announced that she will retire from coaching at the end of the 2003 season. A true pioneer in the sport of volleyball and the advancement of women's athletics, the 59-year old Nolen is in her 32nd year of collegiate coaching and her 10th at the helm of the Billikens. She ranks third on the active NCAA Division I coaching victory list and currently has a career record of 809-357-12 and 190-139 at SLU. The Billikens are next in action at the 2003 Conference USA Tournament in New Orleans on Fri., Nov. 21, against Tulane.

"I am looking forward to spending time with my children and family and managing things with retirement," Nolen said. "I have been contemplating this for a while and took a lot of time with this decision. As coaches, we are measured by our wins and losses, but I still believe that the coaching profession is one of teaching, and that is what I will miss the most. Seeing players grow and mature as both players, and more importantly, as people has been extremely satisfying.

"I am indebted to many people I have had the chance to work with, including all the assistants I've had and the wonderful administrators I've worked under," Nolen said. "I will cherish my memories here at Saint Louis University. I felt that my views match perfectly with the goals and the ideals for which the University stands. I tried to instill the values and character that the University tries to teach everyone. I will remember all the camaraderie enjoyed with the staff at SLU and will miss that day-to-day interaction."

"We are grateful for Marilyn's contributions to our entire athletic department and the foundation that she had built for our volleyball program," Saint Louis director of athletics Doug Woolard said. "Marilyn is one of the true giants in her profession, and her coaching will be missed by everyone associated with the sport of volleyball. She has indicated the desire to spend more time with her family. We certainly support her decision and wish her the very best in retirement. It will be a challenge to find a person with more love for the sport of volleyball than Marilyn. We will begin that process as soon as this season concludes."

Nolen began her coaching career in 1969 at Sul Ross State in Alpine, Texas, where the Lobos went 72-0-3 in three seasons. Nolen won two DGWS National Championships before moving on to New Mexico State. She coached six seasons at Utah State, winning an AIAW National Championship in 1978. Nolen helped Kentucky to a 44-7 record in 1983 and helped restore Florida as a national power with seven years of coaching in Gainesville. After winning 81 matches at North Florida, she arrived at Saint Louis in 1994. She guided the Billikens to a 29-10 record and a fifth place finish at the NIVC Tournament. Nolen was named Conference USA Coach of the Year in 1998 and last season led SLU to a 10-3 league mark. Nolen's 800th career victory came against Marquette in the quarterfinals of the 2002 C-USA Tournament, and she became just the third coach in NCAA Division I history to reach that victory plateau.

Nolen graduated cum laude from Southwest Texas State in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in education. As a player, Nolen played at the highest levels of the sport. She was selected to the U.S. national squad at the 1967 open tryouts. Her first international competition came at the 1967 Pan American Games in Montreal, where the U.S. team won a gold medal. In 1968, she played in the Mexico City Summer Olympics. In 1972, she was a member of the first U.S. women's team to defeat Japan. Nolen continued to represent her country in international play through 1975. -MORE- In what will be a fitting tribute to her career, last week, the American Volleyball Coaches Association announced the establishment of the AVCA Hall of Fame and that Nolen will be part of the inaugural class. The Hall of Fame was established to recognize those who have and continue to make significant contributions to the sport of volleyball. The induction of the inaugural class will take place in conjunction with the 2003 AVCA Annual Convention in Dallas. The ceremony is scheduled for Wed., Dec. 18.