By Roza Panos

Hadley Foster, Quincy University’s former men’s volleyball coach, speaks out after being fired on Feb. 27.

QU announced in a press release the same day that Foster will no longer serve in his capacity as men’s volleyball coach. The release also said that this was a personnel matter and that the university would not have any further comment.

Foster spoke to QU Media and said he did not see this coming and feels that he gave his best effort to his players and to the university. He said he was told he was being released because of a “negative player experience.”

“The only reason I stayed was because of the relationships I have developed over time with alumni and my players,” Foster said.

Foster said he felt that the Athletic Department did not support him and his team.  He also said he feels that, in order to have a season, the team must fundraise.

“We do what we can to compete,” he said.

Foster says he was embarrassed to receive the news the day after 20 alumni came to visit and support him at one of the games.

Foster says he wishes the best for his players and hopes to see them succeed and to continue to have a positive attitude.

QU announced in a press release that Bob Crank will serve as the interim men’s volleyball coach for the remainder of the season.  Crank is also the women’s volleyball coach. QU will search for a permanent replacement for Foster when this season ends.

The Herald-Whig reported that Foster was in his 11th season at QU and ranks as the program’s all-time leader in victories with a record of 151-221. The program was started in 1994.

Foster arrived in Quincy in the summer of 2005 after serving as the women’s volleyball head coach at Tarleton State University in Texas.

Foster also served as top assistant coach for both men and women’s volleyball at the University of Ohio. He spent five years as the director and head coach of the Gate City Club in Idaho and coached for two years at Blackfoot High School.