April 28, 2006
Normal, Ill. -
Networking helped former Illinois State volleyball student manager Eric Melton get hired as a new assistant volleyball coach at Samford University. But, according Illinois State head coach Sharon Dingman, his coaching talent and skills will help the Bulldog program rise to the top of the Ohio Valley Conference.
At Samford, Melton will serve on the staff of Michelle Durban, the Bulldogs' third-year head coach. Durban's first college coaching experience came as an assistant at Butler from 1997-99--Dingman's final three years as Butler head coach before she came to Illinois State in 2000. So Melton and Durban both are part of the Dingman coaching family.
Dingman recommended Melton to her former assistant because she sees his coaching potential.
"Eric has an eye for talent, is an incredibly good teacher and is extremely personable ," said Dingman. "He'll be a success and he will help Michelle be a success because he will understand his role. So this is a good situation for him, for Michelle, and for Samford, a program which I think will develop in the Ohio Valley."
Melton had high school and club coaching experience before returning to Illinois State to complete his bachelor's degree in history and teacher education, which he will receive May 13. This year, he helped the Redbirds to an 18-12 overall record and second place in the Missouri Valley Conference. Melton's Illinois State duties included supervising tape exchange, assisting at practice and at matches.
Previously, the Wood Dale, Ill., native served as a head high school coach both for the boys team and girls team at Fenton High School in Bensenville. He also coached for the Sideout Boys Volleyball Club.
A former college player at Quincy University, Melton played two seasons on the men's club team at Illinois State and for the Sports Performance men's team in 1998. He appreciates what he learned at Illinois State.
"I owe a lot to Sharon Dingman for connecting me with this opportunity," said Melton. "The experiences that I have had at Illinois State have helped me become a better coach. Sharon has had a great impact on my coaching style, and love for the game."
