Cathy George, an accomplished, some would say formidable, college volleyball coach is GR’s professional volleyball team’s head coach. Join us in October to learn more about her career, the Rise and the future of Women’s Professional Volleyball in Grand Rapids.

With an impressive first season, George took the Rise to the Pro Volleyball Federation championship match. In leading her team to the finals she had to face the top-seeded Atlanta Vibe in the semi-finals. The Rise executed the game plan and achieved a huge up-set in five set victory over the Vibe. The first season of the Rise ended with a loss to the No. 2 seeded Omaha Supernovas in the title match. George and the Rise finished the 2024 season with a 13-13 record, with a 7-5 record at home inside Van Andel Arena.

The winningest coach in the history of Michigan State University’s volleyball program, George led the Spartans for 17 seasons (2005-21) and totaled 35 years as a collegiate head coach, including 11 seasons (1994-2004) at Western Michigan University. Upon her retirement from MSU in January 2022, her 667 career wins (667-457, .593) ranked 15th among active Division I coaches and third in the Big Ten.

As a college coach, George became the first woman to coach in the NCAA D1 Final Four when she took her University of Texas-Arlington program to the national semifinals in 1989. She has made 15 NCAA tournament appearances, coached 26 AVCA All-Americans, and garnered a slew of coaching honors.

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