Sports Extra

The Fanshawe Falcons Varsity Women’s Volleyball Program will have more than its fair share of talent at the helm when they step on the court for the 2011/2012 campaign.

Mike Lindsay, Fanshawe College Manager of Athletics has announced the hiring of Mark Peckham as their new head coach and Michelle Schinkel as assistant coach for the upcoming season.

Mark Peckham comes with experience at some of the highest levels of volleyball as a member of the Canadian National Men’s Volleyball Team from 2003 through 2004 and as a starting setter and captain for the Ohio State University Men’s Volleyball team from 2001 through 2004.

During his time with the Canadian National Team, he toured and trained in Australia and participated in international matches against opponents such as South Korea and Australia.

A double major in Finance and Real Estate at Ohio State, he played on a squad which were Mid-Western Volleyball Association (MIVA) Champions in 2001 and 2004 and made it to the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) Final Four in 2001.

Besides graduating as an NCAA Scholar Athlete and being a part of the All-Academic Big Ten, he was: Ohio State Team MVP in 2004, All Conference 2002 through 2004 and won the prestigious Volleyball Hall of Fame Morgan Classic Sportsmanship Award in 2004.

Peckham is also an Oakridge Secondary School (London, Ontario) alumnus and graduate of the Forest City Volleyball Club.

He also has coaching experience with both Ohio State and Colorado State Universities in their summer programs.

“Coaching at Fanshawe has always been something at the back of my mind since the program started,” Mark Peckham said. “It is a relatively new program but I think the foundation is there to build on the success of the past few years.”

“The goal of the program is always to be improving and to get to that next level to compete provincially and nationally.”

“The excitement is generated here by the fact that nowhere in the OCAA coaching ranks are we going to have the playing experience that Mark brings,” Fanshawe College Volleyball Coordinator Vaughan Peckham said.

“Mark also brings youthful enthusiasm to the program. His age and energy level will relate well to incoming athletes because he speaks their language.”

“The timing just worked out well that he is returning to Canada (from California) at the optimum moment for our program.”

It is a home-coming of sorts for Schinkel who played with Fanshawe from 2008 through 2010 after playing at Niagara College for two seasons also. She was the team captain in her second year at Fanshawe and received the prestigious Jim Matchett award in addition to the OCAA All-Academic Award both years.

“Michelle is a genuine enthusiastic young female who we are welcoming into our program,” Vaughan said. “She certainly seems like a good fit.”

“I have spoken to Michelle on the phone and her energy is contagious,” Mark said. “I think she is looking forward to the opportunity.”