Long Beach State Men's Volleyball Head Coach Alan Knipe has announced that he will retire at the end of the calendar year following an extraordinary 25-year career spanning both his time as a standout student-athlete and his tenure as one of the most celebrated coaches in Long Beach State history.

Knipe was recently selected as a member of the Class of 2025 for induction into the AVCA Hall of Fame, national recognition for his accomplishments on the collegiate and international level. That comes on the heels of his induction into the USA Volleyball Hall of Fame as well as his induction both as a player and as part of the 1991 National Championship team into the Long Beach State Athletics Hall of Fame.

Long Beach State Men's Volleyball is coming off of an outstanding season which saw the Beach claim a fourth NCAA Men's Volleyball national championship. A transformative figure for Long Beach State, Knipe has been a part of all four of those championships, winning as a player in 1991 before collecting three more trophies as the head coach in 2018, 2019 and 2025.

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In this heartfelt Thanksgiving episode, the hosts reflect on their gratitude for family, friends, and the journey of their podcast. They share personal stories of growth, the joy of reconnecting with volleyball, and the excitement surrounding upcoming tournaments. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, the love for the sport, and the impact of relationships in their lives. In this conversation, the speakers reflect on themes of gratitude, aging, and the impact of pets in their lives. They share personal stories about their health, rekindling friendships, and the importance of family connections. The discussion also touches on the significance of volleyball in their lives, including statistics and records, and concludes with appreciation for their guests and listeners. In this episode, the hosts discuss the evolution of women's volleyball, highlighting the excitement and growth of the game. They share insights from high school volleyball, including recent championship highlights, and delve into the historical records held by notable players. The conversation shifts to the impact of rally scoring on the game and the art of serving, particularly the effectiveness of float serves. The episode concludes with a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the sport and the connections it has fostered among the hosts.

Chapters
00:00
Thanksgiving Reflections
02:59
Gratitude for the Podcast Journey
06:02
The Love for Volleyball
08:59
Personal Stories of Gratitude
12:06
Family and Life Changes
14:51
Excitement for Upcoming Volleyball Tournaments
18:00
Celebrating Achievements and Growth
25:13
Reflections on Aging and Pets
27:17
Gratitude and Family Connections
29:40
Health and Well-being
31:49
Rekindling Old Friendships
34:32
The Impact of Volleyball on Lives
39:15
Statistics and Records in Volleyball
40:45
Appreciation for Guests and Listeners
41:11
The Evolution of Women's Volleyball
42:59
High School Volleyball Highlights
43:32
Record Holders in Volleyball History
45:30
The Impact of Rally Scoring
49:01
The Art of Serving in Volleyball
51:03
Gratitude for Volleyball's Journey

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In this conversation, Tracy Dahl, head coach of Cal Poly Pomona's volleyball team, shares her journey from a successful player to a distinguished coach. She discusses her coaching philosophy, the challenges of recruitment, and the impact of the transfer portal and NIL on Division II volleyball. Tracy emphasizes the importance of building a strong team culture and the growth of women's volleyball, highlighting the competitive nature of her conference and her aspirations for her program. The conversation also touches on the balance between athletics and academics, and the future of volleyball as a sport. In this conversation, Traci Dahl reflects on her journey from a promising volleyball career to coaching, discussing her regrets, the challenges of recruiting, and the importance of building a positive team culture. She shares insights on the grind of coaching, the role of parental involvement in athlete development, and the potential changes in NCAA eligibility rules. The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics and the commitment required from both coaches and players to succeed.

Sound Bites
"The days are gone where we're just student athletes."
"It's fantastic to see the game grow."
"I think that there's just more to come."
"I would have gone to Spain and played."
"I started living what I thought was life."
"You have to trust the system."

Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Tracy Dahl and Her Journey
02:59
Coaching Philosophy and Team Culture
05:59
Recruitment Strategies and Challenges
09:02
The Impact of the Transfer Portal and NIL
11:55
Comparing Division I and Division II Volleyball
15:00
The Growth of Women's Volleyball
18:02
Building a Winning Program at Cal Poly Pomona
20:59
The Future of Volleyball and Player Development
23:49
Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks
33:42
Reflecting on Career Choices
36:00
Transitioning to Coaching
39:08
Recruiting Challenges in Volleyball
41:08
The Grind of Coaching
44:01
Building a Winning Culture
49:04
Navigating Parental Involvement
52:08
Future of NCAA Eligibility
57:07

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