MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Assistant coach Traci Plungas of the West Virginia University volleyball team has partnered with Big 12 volleyball coaches to launch Reach & Teach: Big 12 Volleyball Diversity Mentoring Program, a conference-wide initiative designed to empower and support ethnic minority and underrepresented coaches in the sport.
 
The mission of the program is to offer empowerment, inclusion and support to minority coaches who aspire to coach at the collegiate level. The program seeks to open doors and connect an underrecognized group of coaches to every Big 12 program to offer insight, promote a comprehensive network, spread knowledge of the game and create more diversity within the profession.
 
"I am honored to be apart of something that supports unity, diversity and inclusivity," Plungas said. "In the Big 12, we want the volleyball community to continue to grow by helping any and all who want to learn through this mentoring program. This program is an opportunity to open minds and open doors for the future of our profession."
 
Over a nine-week span scheduled to begin Feb. 3, each Big 12 program will host participants in a 45-minute virtual networking and educational session during its designated week. Education sessions will include the respective head coach along with three additional staff members in order to introduce and expose the participants to each program in the Big 12.
 
Registration is now open through Jan. 28 to any current collegiate, club or high school coach in addition to any current and former athletes with a desire to enter the coaching profession. For more information and to register, click here.
 
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUVolleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.