Newly Hired Volleyball Coach Found Dead
Published on
Grand Rapids, Michigan (July 20, 2007) - Aquinas College’s Athletic Department is
in shock over word that its newly hired women’s volleyball coach was one of two people
found dead Friday (July 20) in an apparent murder-suicide at a Wyoming, Michigan,
home. Cristi Curtis, 28, was hired by Aquinas last month to head-up the school’s volleyball
program.
“We’re absolutely stunned,” said Aquinas Athletics Department Director Terry Bocian. “Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the Curtis family.”
Curtis, a Kentwood High School graduate, had been a teacher and volleyball coach at Byron Center High School since fall 2003. She played collegiate volleyball at Winthrop University (1996-99) in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where she set numerous records during her college volleyball career.
Curtis was selected from among several candidates interviewed for the part-time volleyball coaching position at Aquinas in June.
“We were so impressed with Cristi (during the coaching interview process), both personally and professionally, and were looking forward to having her lead our volleyball program,” stated Bocian, who hired Curtis for the position just three weeks ago. Curtis was to have started her coaching responsibilities in August.
“We’re absolutely stunned,” said Aquinas Athletics Department Director Terry Bocian. “Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the Curtis family.”
Curtis, a Kentwood High School graduate, had been a teacher and volleyball coach at Byron Center High School since fall 2003. She played collegiate volleyball at Winthrop University (1996-99) in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where she set numerous records during her college volleyball career.
Curtis was selected from among several candidates interviewed for the part-time volleyball coaching position at Aquinas in June.
“We were so impressed with Cristi (during the coaching interview process), both personally and professionally, and were looking forward to having her lead our volleyball program,” stated Bocian, who hired Curtis for the position just three weeks ago. Curtis was to have started her coaching responsibilities in August.