LaMotte to take over women's volleyball program

CALGARY, ALTA., (April, 24, 2020) – Chantelle LaMotte has been named the new head coach of the SAIT Trojans women's volleyball team.

SAIT's Athletic Department officially announced the decision Friday afternoon. LaMotte replaces Art O'Dwyer, who stepped down from the post in early February after nine years at the helm of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) South Division squad.

"Coach O'Dwyer is a well-respected coach and individual in the sport of volleyball who has developed and sustained a strong program over many years," LaMotte said. "I am excited to take over the Trojans program from him and work with the players at SAIT that, no doubt, have a solid foundation in place."

LaMotte comes to the Trojans with considerable post-secondary women's volleyball experience – the majority of which has come as an assistant coach with the University of Alberta Pandas (2012-17, 2020).

She also has spent time in the ACAC, acting as head coach for the Grande Prairie Regional College Wolves in 2016, and again in 2018 and 2019. With the Wolves, LaMotte reached the playoffs in two of three seasons, and led them when they hosted the 2017-18 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women's Volleyball National Championship.

Outside of post-secondary, she has also coached at the club (Pandas), high school (Saskatchewan) and provincial level (Alberta, Saskatchewan).

"We are very happy to bring Chantelle on board as the new head coach of our women's volleyball program," said Wade Kolmel, SAIT's Director of Athletics. "Her attention to detail and knowledge of the sport at this level is impressive. Coach O'Dwyer did a great job of instilling an expectation of excellence both on the court and in the classroom, and we feel Chantelle is in a good position to continue that tradition."

Last season, a very young Trojans team struggled to earn wins and missed the playoffs. Despite going 6-18, SAIT finished the year on a bit of a high note, going 4-4 in their final eight games.

LaMotte's next step will be to reach out to the Trojans players who are returning to the team, and those who O'Dwyer had recruited before stepping away. Her preference would be to get to know them face-to-face in the gym, but the COVID-19 pandemic has obviously altered that plan.

"I think we're really fortunate in this day and age to have the technology that we have, so I want to reach out and link up with the athletes first as a group, and as then as individuals or small groups as needed," she said. "We'll use this time to stay fit, stay connected, and then turn our focus to the sport when we are given the go ahead."