GETTYSBURG, Pa. – As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and unfortunately for Gettysburg College and its volleyball program, the time has come for Head Coach
Alexa Keckler to take her talents to a new venue and in the process, bring her family back under one roof.
After five years of wearing the orange and blue, Keckler has been hired to lead the volleyball program at Centennial Conference rival Muhlenberg College. Also the coordinator of Gettysburg's successful Wellness Program for employees, she will serve in a similar capacity at Muhlenberg as the Assistant Director of Recreation and will teach fitness and wellness classes.
“I had a very rewarding and enjoyable time here at Gettysburg,” said Keckler. “I will miss the players and my coworkers on campus. There were so many people here that made this job fun to come to everyday.”
Already with a strong history of success, Gettysburg welcomed Keckler to the fold in 2005 and she upheld that program's standard by capturing the conference championship and leading the team to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Bullets have managed a record of 96-55 overall (.636 winning percentage) under her tutelage, including a 40-10 mark against Centennial competition. Gettysburg has finished as the conference tournament runner-up in each of the last two seasons and hosted the event in 2008.
The move to Muhlenberg is more than just career driven for Keckler. Since the fall of 2008, her family has been divided with husband and former Gettysburg men's basketball assistant coach Darryl Keckler leading the men's basketball team at Drew University in Madison, N.J. Only 70 miles separate Allentown from Madison and Alexa and Darryl along with daughters Olivia (4) and Camryn (eight months) will take up residence in one of the communities in between.
“For one, my family will no longer live in two different states!” stated Keckler on what she was looking forward to most about the move. “Secondly, I am looking forward to working with and meeting new people, players and prospective student-athletes. I love volleyball and enjoy coaching and I know Muhlenberg will be a great new adventure with lots of excitement for the game!”
Keckler inherits a Muhlenberg team that hasn't had quite the same standard of success as Gettysburg, but is nonetheless a rising contender in the Centennial Conference. The Mules have finished better than fourth in conference play just once – a second-place showing in 2001. However, the team has won over 50 percent of its matches over the last two seasons and is coming off its first conference playoff appearance in eight years.
The Bullets won't have to wait too long to face their old coach as the two teams meet in the final regular season contest of 2010 inside Bream Gym on October 30. It will likely be an emotional day on the court as Keckler will face student-athletes she coached and recruited, not to mention it will be the volleyball team's senior day and Family Weekend at Gettysburg.
“I am sure there will be feelings of excitement, anxiety, joy and a drive to win,” said Keckler. “Gettysburg is a great place to play and being on the other side of the gym will certainly be odd, but exciting!”
Keckler's last official day at Gettysburg is May 28. The process of finding a worthy candidate to fill the void will begin in earnest with the team's August preseason is right around the corner.
