By: Joey Gruner
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Parkland College and the Cobras volleyball program are proud to announce that Head Coach Cliff Hastings has recorded the 600th win of his Parkland coaching career on Saturday evening, September 18, with a win over South Suburban CC in Champaign, Ill. A 2018 inductee into the NJCAA Volleyball Hall of Fame, Hastings has led the Cobras to two NJCAA DII Championships, seven NJCAA DII Championship Matches, and 12 straight NJCAA DII Tournament appearances.
“For Coach Cliff Hastings to achieve 600 victories as quickly as he has is an incredible accomplishment,” exclaimed Parkland Athletic Director Brendan McHale. “Coach Hastings’ dedication to his team’s success is second to none. Cliff’s recognition of what his teams need to improve upon is directly related to their incredible success year in and year out. Coach Hastings’ teams have a full understanding of what their expectations are when they arrive to practice or play in a match. This helps to eliminate any confusion and allows his teams to be focused, prepared and determined.”
With a 22-3 start to the 2021 season, Hastings boasts a dominating .915 (600-56) winning percentage since taking the helm prior to the 2009 season. Now in his 13th season, Hastings has averaged 48.2 wins per season, with 50 or more wins in seven of those seasons. Reaching the NJCAA National Championship match in seven of the previous eight seasons, the Cobras have won 433 matches in that span, dating back to 2013, with no more than three losses in any of those seasons. In 2015, Hastings led Parkland to its first undefeated season in program history with a program-best 57 wins.
On top of the on-the-court success, Hastings has guided Cobra volleyball players to numerous athletic and academic accolades. In 12 seasons, Hastings saw his athletes garner 28 NJCAA All-America honors, and after last season, Halle Everett was named the Mid-West Athletic Conference’s Female Athlete of the Year. The student-athlete success is carried into the classroom where volleyball players have been named to NJCAA All-Academic Teams 39 times.
The 2021 edition of Coach Hastings’ squad has been ranked second, first, and fourth this season (NJCAA DII). The Cobras have produced a 59-12 set record (.831) with a schedule that has included six top-10 opponents.
McHale added, “The Cobra volleyball program, Parkland College and Coach Hastings’ teams are the benefactors of his service to excellence. Congratulations, Coach Cliff Hastings, on an amazing 600 victories!!!”
