Lafayette native and McCutcheon High School standout Katie Loyer enters her first year as assistant coach for Purdue volleyball. Loyer's responsibilities include recruiting and on-court instruction. "Katie is a great addition to this program," Hulsmeyer said. "She has proven to be successful, and brings great energy and experience to this position."
Most recently Loyer served as the head volleyball coach at the University of Southern Indiana, a Division II institution. While there during the 2000 season, she compiled a 27-4 record and was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year after leading her team to a tie for first place for the conference regular season title. The 27-4 mark, including a 14-2 home record, was the school's first 20-win season since 1993. The 27 wins was the most in the history of the program dating back to 1980.
After serving as an assistant coach at Cincinnati for a year, Loyer was hired as head coach for the 1996-97 season. She led the Bearcats to a 25-10 record and the USA Blue Division Championships, recording the most consecutive wins in conference history (15), a record that has since been broken.
As a collegiate player, Loyer started one year at Memphis State before transferring to Indiana, where she was a two-year starter and two-time captain of the Hoosier squad, playing defensive specialist. Loyer began her playing career as a four-year starter at McCutcheon High School, where she earned 12 varsity letters and was a two-time Indiana All Star/All State selection.
"Having the opportunity to be home with my family and continue my coaching career here at Purdue is a dream come true," Loyer said. "As a coach, the ultimate dream and goal is winning a national championship. Growing up here in the 80's, I knew that Purdue volleyball was the best, and now I want to help make it a reality again. I have a lot of respect for Jeff and the University. Together, I believe we can get the program back to the top both nationally and in the Big Ten."
Loyer and her husband, John, who is a scout for the Portland Trailblazers, live in Lafayette with their son, Foster (3).