Colleen Walsh

Position:
Outside Hitter
Height:
6-0
Class:
Senior
High School:
Regina
Hometown:
Cleveland, Ohio
Major:
Economics

University of Delaware
Athletics Hall of Fame
Class of 2016

One of the all-time great student-athletes in Delaware volleyball history, Colleen Walsh was equally impressive on the volleyball court and in the classroom. A native of Cleveland, she was a record-setting four-year starter at outside hitter and led the Blue Hens to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2007 with a 31-5 record for head coach Bonnie Kenny.

A two-year captain, she led her squads to a four-year mark of 86-43 that included the 2007 Colonial Athletic Association title and NCAA Tournament berth and a CAA runner-up finish in 2004. A four-time All-CAA performer, she was named the CAA Player of the Year, earned AVCA All-Region notice, and led the CAA with 564 kills. She finished her career as UD’s all-time leader in career kills (1,856) and kills per game (3.85).

An exceptional student, she was a two-time CoSIDA District 2 All-Academic Team selection, was the 2007 CAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and was the CAA’s NCAA Woman of the Year. She also earned the UD Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year Award and Mary Ann Hitchens Award in 2007-08.

After earning her degree in economics with honors in 2008, she worked briefly in the corporate world before pursuing her calling to campus ministry. She started her career with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship as a campus staff worker at UD. Now after eight years, she serves as Regional Coordinator for all athlete ministries at colleges and universities in the Mid-Atlantic region. She also serves on the leadership team for Athletes InterVarsity and has been instrumental in growing the ministry nationally.

Colleen has remained active in volleyball and represented Delaware at the 2010 Alt Games Beach Volleyball Championships in Santa Barbara, Calif., teaming with former teammate and 2015 UD Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Stephanie Barry Courtney to take second place. She also joined the UD coaching staff as a volunteer assistant in 2016.

Class of 2016
Back row: Mickey Heinecken, Brian August, Jim Fischer, Erica LaBar, Curtis Dickson, Joe Flacco
Front row: Colleen Walsh, Diane Stetina, Tyechia Smith, Ed Maley