Womens Volleyball

Womens Volleyball - Coaching Staff

sheila perkins volleyball 

Head Coach Sheila Perkins

Office Number: (608) 785-8170; E-Mail: perkins.shei@uwlax.edu

Entering her 15th season as head coach in 2008, Sheila Perkins is reaping the benefits which success and stability has brought to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse volleyball program. Perkins has guided the Eagles to the NCAA Division III Tournament in three of the last five years, including two trips to the national quarterfinals.

UW-L finished 33-6 in 2003 as Perkins was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Coach of the Year for the first time in her career. She led the Eagles to a share of the school's first conference championship since 1986 and claimed their first WIAC Tournament title in school history. UW-L was 31-7 in 2004 and made its second consecutive appearance in the national quarterfinals before falling to Washington University (Mo.). The Eagles finished ninth in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Poll.

The Eagles were 24-10 overall and 4-4 in the WIAC a year ago. UW-L made its 11th appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament last year, advancing to the regional quarterfinals.

Perkins is 441-252 (.636) in 20 years as a collegiate head coach, including 339-141 (.706) in 14 seasons at UW-L. She has led the Eagles to 13 straight 20-win seasons and five NCAA III Tournament appearances in the last 11 years. UW-L went to post-season play in back-to-back years (1997, 1998) for the first time since the mid-'80s.

UW-L was a logical choice to match the ideals and philosophies Perkins believes in. "I've always liked the philosophy of Division III athletics, and the competition at this level has always been good," she says. "I respect the student-athletes for their accomplishments and their hard work. I see my role as a mentor more than anything else. Role models are important, and I hope I'm doing that for student-athletes here."

She believes a good work ethic and a positive attitude is the difference between success and failure. "In volleyball, success is 90 percent attitude," she states. "I want a player who is positive even when it's a negative situation. This is the player who will never be way up or way down emotionally, but always level-headed. They know if they blow one, they are going get another chance, and that they will take care of the next one."

Perkins and her staff play the role of facilitator in the development of the student-athletes in the program both athletically and academically. "We simply give them the freedom to take responsibility for themselves as athletes and students," she says. "If they ever need anything, they know I will help them. I will not do it for them, but I will give them the guidance they need to get to where they want to go."

Perkins has expereinced the advantages of coaching in one of the finest athletic programs in the top conference in Division III.

"The best things about coaching at UW-L are the consistency in which the athletic administration deals with the coaches and the total program support we receive. It is unmatched by any other place I've ever been," Perkins says. "The other thing is that our athletes are dedicated to whatever they are doing both in athletics and in the classroom."

Perkins believes UW-L offers student-athletes an opportunity to experience all that a university has to offer academically, athletically and socially. "Our student-athletes have good experiences both academically and athletically," Perkins says. "Also, there is something about the people and the friendliness of the entire institution which helps people feel comfortable here."

Prior to her arrival at UW-L, Perkins posted an 86-83 record in five seasons at the University of Minnesota-Morris. Perkins led the Cougars to a 28-11 record in 1992 to advance to the NAIA I District 13 playoffs. She rebuilt a program which suffered through a 6-26 record her first season. She also served as head softball coach.

Other collegiate head coaching experience included a two-year stint at the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., from 1980-82. She posted a 16-28 mark in two seasons. Perkins also served as head volleyball, basketball and softball coach at Rainy River Community College in International Falls, Minn., where she compiled a 35-90-9 volleyball record in five seasons.

She spent four years coaching in the prep ranks in the Cottonwood Public School system as head coach of the volleyball, basketball and track programs.

The Menoken, N.D., native earned a bachelor's degree in physical education, health and coaching from North Dakota State University in 1974. In 1983, she received a master's degree in education and health, physical education and recreation from Northern State University, where she served as graduate assistant coach in volleyball, basketball and softball.

Perkins resides in Onalaska. She enjoys skiing, racquetball and listening to music. Perkins is currently a member of AAPHERD and the American Volleyball Coaches' Association.

Perkins' Head Coaching Career (4-year colleges only)

Year School Overall Record
1980-81 Univ. of Mary 16-28
1989 Univ. of Minnesota-Morris 6-26
1990 Univ. of Minnesota-Morris 16-18
1991 Univ. of Minnesota-Morris 18-12
1992 Univ. of Minnesota-Morris 28-11
1993 Univ. of Minnesota-Morris 18-16
1994 UW-La Crosse 19-9
1995 UW-La Crosse 22-12
1996 UW-La Crosse 21-13
1997 UW-La Crosse 27-11
1998 UW-La Crosse 23-14
1999 UW-La Crosse 30-6
2000 UW-La Crosse 20-13
2001 UW-La Crosse 20-13
2002 UW-La Crosse 25-10
2003 UW-La Crosse 33-6
2004 UW-La Crosse 31-7
2005 UW-La Crosse 24-8
2006 UW-La Crosse 20-9
2007 UW-La Crosse 24-10
Total 20 years 441-252
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