This will be Mike's 7th year coaching with Moxie. He has coached nearly every age level - including adults and pre-club age juniors. Mike has also been head coach of the top beach volleyball teams the past 3 years - helping to pioneer the program. Before joining Moxie, Mike was coaching beach volleyball, and fundamental volleyball skills, year round at both Sandbox Sports and East Beach Volleyball Center.

Prior to coaching, Mike was a middle blocker for the University of Washington's Men's Club Volleyball Team. He has been playing competitive volleyball for just over ten years now - playing both beach and indoor 6s. While his personal playing time has greatly decreased in recent years (largely due to coaching commitments) - his love for the game has only increased.

Mike states that his primary focus with coaching is in developing highly skilled players who can excel in a variety of positions. This has led to him concentrating on the U11-U15 age groups - where he has produced a multitude of highly effective young athletes. His coaching philosophy is based around the concept that "the game teaches the game"; and believes that being able to operate within the chaos of the game is the best path to victory. He believes that a coach's job is to find the balance between guidance of proper technique and form and creating game-like situations that allow a player to learn by doing.

Outside of volleyball, Mike is an avid rock climber and backpacker. He recently finished his undergraduate in biochemistry from the University of Washington, and is currently studying for his NASM personal trainer certificate.

Mike's favorite volleyball player is Scott Ayakatubby. His favorite boulderers are Alex Puccio and Sean McColl.


"You want to know the difference between the master and the beginner? The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried."
-- Unknown