A long-serving faculty member in York University’s Faculty of Health, School of Kinesiology & Health Science, has received recognition as one of the leading volleyball coaches in Canadian history.
Merv Mosher was inducted into the Ontario Volleyball Hall of Fame on June 1, and was credited with outstanding contributions to the sport over the past four decades. His involvement in volleyball as a teacher, program developer and overall fan of the sport has inspired many young athletes, both nationally and internationally.
“I have been very fortunate to work with some of the finest volleyball players in the province and country,” said Mosher. “They are the reason I have been honoured with this recognition.”
Mosher, a senior lecturer in kinesiology, led the women’s volleyball team at York University as head coach from 1979 to 1997, and made significant changes to the women’s program. During that time, the team qualified for the Ontario Women’s Interuniversity Athletic Association (OWIAA) Championships in each of his 18 years as head coach. The team captured 13 OWIAA championships and five Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) bronze medals.
Mosher is a 10-time OWIAA coach of the year recipient, who also earned CIAU coach of the year in 1984-85 and was recognized for his incredible coaching record of 192 wins and 17 losses.
In addition to York University, Mosher also coached at the provincial, national and international levels, including the 1984 Olympic Games and the World University Games (1983, 1985, 1987, 1991).
“Coaching and teaching has been a lifelong passion for me,” he said. “Being honoured in this fashion is a bonus which adds to the pleasure I get from coaching and teaching.”
He has earned many accolades, including being inducted into the York University Sport Hall of Fame (2002), being named Coach of the Year by the Ontario Volleyball Association (2009) and receiving the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Community Coach Developer Award (2015).
Mosher obtained a bachelor of religious education from the University of British Columbia in 1976 and a master of arts in physical education from York in 1982. He has volunteered for several organizations, including Volleyball Canada, the Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union (CIAU – now recognized as U SPORTS) and the Ontario Volleyball Association.