Benj Heinrichs started coaching in the ACAC before some of his current players were born. But after a 22-year career, the NAIT women's volleyball coach will be stepping away from the sport at the end of March.
Heinrichs said his decision to retire from coaching is largely due to a desire to pursue another long-time passion.
"My other major interest is wellness, and over the last few years I've become more and more interested in how I can help and inspire people to own their health and happiness. I want to pursue that," Heinrichs said.
NAIT Athletics manager Jordan Richey said Heinrichs will be missed not only because of his commitment to the women's volleyball program but due to his willingness to spearhead other initiatives around campus.
"I would like to thank Benj for his time coaching at NAIT. His teams have always shown great determination, perseverance which is a testament to his coaching style," NAIT Athletics manager Jordan Richey said.
"Benj's quiet demeanor on the sideline during matches had a calming effect on his team which always helped in stressful situations. Benj was always volunteering to lead well-being initiatives for NAIT staff and students and these selfless acts will be missed. NAIT Athletics would like to wish Benj all the best in his next adventure."
After a successful playing career that saw him win a national championship at the University of Calgary, represent the country as a member of Team Canada and play professionally in France, Heinrichs started his coaching career in 1999 at Medicine Hat College.
He coached the Rattlers' men's volleyball team for four years while also serving as a Kinesiology instructor at the school. Heinrichs then took over the Rattlers women's volleyball program, where he remained as head coach for 10 years. In 2011-2012, his team captured an ACAC silver medal and an appearance at the CCAA National Championship.
He moved north to take over the NAIT women's volleyball team in 2013. Heinrichs said his favourite coaching experience at the school was the 2019-2020 season.
"We had an awesome staff that was a ton of fun, and a team that worked really hard and kept grinding no matter what," he said.
"We had a long losing streak in the middle of the season, where we were in every single match, but just couldn't get over the hump. We had to win five matches in a row at the end of the season in order to get to the ACAC Championship in Medicine Hat and we pulled it off. It seems fitting that my last match as a coach was back in the MHC gym where it all started."
Heinrichs said he will miss studying team culture, leadership and creating optimal learning environments for his athletes.
"I loved trying to apply these things and create great practices. I'll miss this process and being in the gym during the week with the student-athletes," Heinrichs said. "And for sure, I've developed some really special relationships over my 22 years with some players, coaches, and others in the volleyball community. I'll definitely miss that too."
Heinrichs has already started working on "life after coaching," as he has launched his company, Own It Wellness, which will allow him to pursue his passion of helping others improve their health and happiness.
With Heinrichs' pending retirement, NAIT Athletics will be opening up the position of women's volleyball head coach around mid-February for interested candidates, with the new head coach anticipated to start in mid-April.