GALESBURG, Illinois—Pat Barry joins the Prairie Fire staff as the head volleyball coach. He comes to Knox after a stint as an assistant coach at The University of Louisiana. He has experience at the club volleyball level and played collegiately at Carthage College.

"We are very excited to welcome Pat Barry to our staff," said director of athletics Daniella Irle. "He has experience at the Division I level and played volleyball at the Division III level. His energy will help breathe new life into the volleyball program."

Barry was an All-American at Carthage and competed in the NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball Championship in 2012. He is top-10 in Carthage history in kills (844), points (988), digs per set (3.32), and points per set (3.89). He also holds the school season record for kills per set (4.27).

"I want to thank Director of Athletics Daniella Irle and President Teresa Amott for this incredible opportunity," said Barry. "They both believe strongly in this program and I am beyond grateful that I was chosen to be part of that vision."

Barry has previous experience coaching at the Division III level at Dominican University. He also had stops as a volunteer coach with Division I schools Loyola University and Northwestern University. Barry has five years of experience at the club level, including two years as a Program Director for Division1 Volleyball Club in the Chicago area.

"Knox has some incredible student-athletes. Between the academic rigor and the intense athletic competition, I am extremely excited to get to work," continued Barry.  "This group of players has so much potential with every player from last year returning. This team has the opportunity to achieve so much and I am looking forward to seeing the type of team chemistry we can create with everyone returning."

Barry is a 2015 graduate of Carthage College, where he earned his bachelor of arts in Broad Field Social Science. He double minored in Secondary Education and Women's and Gender Studies.