(Peru, Neb.) – Peru State College (PSC) Athletic Director
Steve Schneider has announced the hiring of Melvin Balogh as the new Bobcat volleyball coach. Balogh will begin his duties immediately as he replaces Alexis (Lexie) Baack.
Schneider said, “Coach Balogh's strength is player development and recruitment. These skills will assist in moving our volleyball program to the top tier of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC).
Balogh comes to Peru State from McNeese State University, an NCAA DI program in Lake Charles, La., where he was in his first year serving as an assistant coach to Terry Gamble, a familiar name to the Nebraska/Iowa area as Gamble had coached at Midland University and Iowa Western Community College. Balogh was actively involved in student-athlete recruitment and was the program's lead fundraiser.
Prior to going to McNeese, Balogh had seven years of NAIA experience. Balogh was the head coach at Bacone College (Okla.) for two years in 2009-2011, three years at Sterling College (Kan.) in 2006-09, and two years (2004-06) at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Mich. In addition, Balogh has ten years of youth club coaching, most recently with the Cowgirl Volleyball Club of southwest Louisiana. Also, Balogh has extensive experience in working summer camps having worked camps at the University of Michigan, Bowling Green University, and McNeese State.
At McNeese State, Balogh had a Southland Conference all-conference player and three academic all-conference student-athletes. While in the NAIA, Balogh has coached six Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes and had one player earn NAIA All-Region IV honors. In the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC), Balogh had two all-conference first team honorees, four second team players, six all-freshman team members, and two freshmen of the year runner-ups.
In 2001, Balogh earned his bachelor's degree in Christian Ministry from Great Lakes Christian College in Lansing, Mich. Balogh is scheduled to complete his master's degree in athletic administration from Concordia University in Irvine, Calif.
An Ohio native, Balogh is married to the former Kristy Bowes. The couple has two children, Bradin (age 6) and Annamaria (age 3).
Balogh stated, “I am super excited to be a part of the Peru State family. As a school and athletic program, Peru State has so many positives that I look forward to working towards success for many years to come.”
In addition, Balogh added, “I look forward to working with a wonderful group of girls. As a coach, I believe it is important to work hard and have fun at the same time and so far, the girls here at Peru State have a good understanding of this concept.”
The Bobcats finished last season with an 11-18 record and graduated six seniors. Balogh anticipates hitting the recruiting trail immediately to help replace those seniors and to bolster the entire squad.
