Erminia Russo Thorpe returns as the head coach of the NAIT Women’s Volleyball team after a successful stint from 2010-2012. 

Erminia has held previous head coaching positions at Western University in London, Ontario and at her alma mater, UBC where she was named USport Coach of the Year in her first season.

As an athlete, Erminia was a member of Team Canada in both indoor and beach volleyball, over a 15 year career. She competed in the 1996 Olympics in indoor volleyball, as well as on the FIVB professional beach tour.

Accomplishments include, being inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame and Outstanding Young Alumnus, BC Sports Hall of Fame ‘Leaders & Legends’, Volleyball BC Hall of Fame, and Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame.

Erminia has also worked as a colour analyst for CBC Sports and TSN, covering both indoor and beach volleyball in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.