April 27, 2005
By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University volleyball coach Sonya Locke announced Wednesday she will step aside as the team's head coach in order to take a position as an academic advisor for Saluki athletics.
Locke, a 1988 inductee into the Saluki Hall of Fame, was an All-American volleyball player for SIU from 1979-82 and still holds numerous school records. She returned to her alma mater as head coach in 1991 and compiled a 188-232 record in 14 seasons at Southern.
"I have contemplated a change of direction for some time now, and the Lord has opened the door for me to continue to have a positive impact upon Saluki athletics by becoming a member of the student services staff," Locke said. "I am excited about the opportunity to continue to mentor young people. The team is in good hands with the players who are returning and with those joining the program this fall. If there was ever a good time to change directions, it's now."
Locke has spent more than half of her life and 26 of the last 27 years involved in Saluki volleyball as a head coach, assistant coach or player.
During her playing career, the Salukis averaged 23 wins per season. As a coach, she has mentored 17 first or second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference players. Twenty-two of Locke's players were named to the MVC's Scholar-Athlete team, and two became Academic All-Americans.
"Sonya's leadership skills and passion for Saluki athletics will continue to benefit our department in her new role as academic advisor," athletics director Paul Kowalczyk said. "I'm extremely pleased she's decided to remain a Saluki and focus her considerable attributes on helping all of our student-athletes academically. There's no one more committed to the student-athlete concept and no finer representative of Southern Illinois University."
Kowalczyk said a search to find Locke's replacement will begin immediately.
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