SNU Athletics Alumni Spotlight: Bill Hamiter

SNU Athletics is proud to recognize former coach and alumni Bill Hamiter

BETHANY, Okla. - Southern Nazarene Athletics is honored to recognize alumni and former SNU volleyball coach, Bill Hamiter for his achievements with the United States Sitting Volleyball Team.

Hamiter was no stranger to Southern Nazarene while growing up. He was born in Bethany, and both of his parents attended SNU, exposing him to the university from a young age.

He later grew up in the Dallas Fort Worth area before deciding to attend SNU. While at SNU Hamiter found his love for volleyball as he joined a recreational team of fellow students who enjoyed playing.

During his junior year, Hamiter began to help the head volleyball coach at the time, Stephane Shellenberger, and her team, to gain experience. Hamiter then graduated in 1982 with a degree in Religion and Philosophy.

After graduating, he went on to become a pastor in the Dallas Fort Worth area while also coaching various club volleyball teams around him.

In 1987, former SNU Athletic Director, Bobby Martin, called him to see if he would be interested in becoming the next volleyball coach at Southern Nazarene. Hamiter said yes and returned to Bethany to coach the team for five years, where he won four District 9 championships and earned three NAIA National Tournament appearances.

Hamiter started one of the first volleyball clubs in Oklahoma and made numerous connections, including USA Volleyball. He began by working camps for USA Volleyball and then later was on some of the junior committees for the organization.

In 2001, he was asked to coach the USA Men's Sitting Volleyball team. He then went on to coach both the men and women's team before just coaching the women in 2009.

In 2009, Hamiter began working full-time with USA Volleyball and was named the Program Director.

Since being with USA Volleyball, he has been to five Olympic Games. His teams have earned one silver medal and three gold medals.

Southern Nazarene athletics is honored to call Bill Hamiter an alumni and former coach.

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