“The opportunity to be able to host the Nationals is special,” said Paul Armbruster, who is Head Coach for Men’s Volleyball at Providence. “We’re blessed to have so many amazing people contributing to the organization of this championship. My hope is that it will be an awesome, unifying experience, highlighting Prov and our fantastic athletics community.”
The Director of Athletics at Providence, Joel Coursey, was of the same mind. “The Pilots have appeared on a national stage with the NCCAA in the United States many times,” shared Coursey. “But it’s an incredible opportunity for us to have the men’s volleyball team qualify back-to-back and to host the Canadian Nationals this year.” The Pilots men’s volleyball team first appeared at the National Championship when it was hosted by Humber College in 2023, and again in 2024 when the tournament was in Victoria, BC. “This year, as host, we’re guaranteed a spot, so this will be our third appearance in a row. There will be a lot of attention on us, and this tournament is exactly the opportunity that we’re looking for to showcase the quality of our athletics program.”
“I’ve been here at Providence for four years,” stated Health Science student Thomas Pain (#16). “It’s hard to pick just a few highlights, but any playoff game like we had at the Nationals in Toronto or Victoria – those experiences with the team were amazing. The people are what keep me coming back. The best part about Prov for me is the community.”
According to Coach Armbruster, “The journey of becoming a great athlete encompasses a lot of things. We want our team to be the best athletes they can be, to do well academically, to grow in character and faith. I often say to the guys that we want to get one percent better today. Focusing on the process instead of the result is a big thing that I believe in.” This is why at the beginning of each season, the team underscores several core values such as having a growth mindset, cultivating a family atmosphere, developing leadership skills, and keeping commitment and humility as ideals to strive toward.
“On a daily basis, we try to impact our athletes through living life together, which creates a unique experience for all of our students,” concludes Coursey. “While competing across the province, Canada and the United States, we carry the banner of Providence. It’s not just about athletic success; it’s also about increasing awareness about our strong academics and the overall student experience we offer.”
For more information about the Canadian Collegiate Athletics Association Men’s Volleyball National Championship, March 5-8, 2025 – including volunteer opportunities, tournament schedule and purchasing tickets – visit GoPilots.ca.
Also – stay tuned for 2026, as it was just announced that Providence will be hosting next year’s Women’s CCAA National Championship.
Go Pilots!
