ATLANTA —
Fort Valley State University head men’s volleyball coach
Larry Wrather was selected to the U.S. Men’s National Team staff as an assistant coach ahead of play in the NORCECA XVIII Men Senior Pan American Cup, marking a historic milestone for HBCU men’s volleyball.
The tournament took place Aug. 24 through Sept. 1 in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, where the U.S. placed sixth.
“This was an incredible opportunity for me personally and for my career, but it’s also a chance to shine a spotlight on Fort Valley State and the SIAC,” Wrather said. “It was historic to have both a staff member and a player from an HBCU men’s volleyball program represented with the USA Men’s National Team, and I didn’t take that lightly.”
FVSU outside/opposite hitter Muhammad Mbaye, entering his final season, was also appointed to the USA staff as the team’s performance analyst.
With competition in Mexico, Wrather noted that the honor brought about some personal challenges—missing the opportunity to be on campus when his home squad arrived for classes and training, alongside welcoming 12 new Wildcats.
Wrather credited his father, who also serves as the Wildcat’s assistant men’s volleyball coach, for supporting the home program in his absence.
“Knowing he was there to guide and set the standard made it easier for me to focus fully on this opportunity,” Wrather stated.
Wrather attributes his time as a player in the USA youth system and service in the National Team Development program as a coach and scout to laying the foundation for this moment.
“I never imagined I’d get the call to work with the Men’s National Team this quickly, but I’ve always believed in thriving at new, uncomfortable levels,” Wrather said. “To have stepped into this role was humbling, energizing, and a responsibility I was honored to carry—not just for myself, but for my program, my conference, and everyone who believes in where HBCU men’s volleyball can go.”
The selection process to the Men’s National Team coaching staff was personal.
“The selection process was pretty surreal. I was personally contacted by Head Coach Karch Kiraly, who asked if I would be interested in joining the Men’s National Team staff for the Pan American Cup,” Wrather said. “To have someone of his stature reach out directly was both humbling and motivating. It wasn’t something I had imagined happening this soon, but it reaffirmed that the work I’ve been doing at Fort Valley State is being recognized at the highest levels. From that moment, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
Wrather received the official notice in early July, just after returning from a recruiting trip in Orlando.
“At the time, I had been in conversations with USAV about one of our players potentially being invited to train over the summer, so naturally, I assumed the message would be about him,” Wrather stated. “As I read further, I realized it was actually an invitation for me to join the staff. To say I was surprised would be an understatement.”
From left, U.S. Men’s National Team coaching staff for the 2025 NORCECA Pan American Cup: Team Leader John Xie, Assistant Coach Luke Reynolds, Head Coach Andy Read and Assistant Coach Larry Wrather
Looking ahead, Wrather said his work with USA Volleyball would continue.
“My role with USA Volleyball will definitely continue through the pipeline, as I’ll still be working with the National Team Development Program as both a coach and a scout in the youth system,” Wrather said. “As for the Men’s National Team, that’s something we’ll have to wait and see. For now, I’m focused on making the most of this opportunity and contributing in every way I can—while continuing to do what we do in our program back home and having our tribe ready to keep making history.”
Wrather echoed the broader significance of the appointment and expressed his appreciation to USA Volleyball.
“This experience represented far more than a personal milestone—it was about visibility, representation, and opening doors,” Wrather said. “To have both a staff member and a player from an HBCU men’s volleyball program connected to the USA Men’s National Team shows how far our sport has come and how much talent exists in places that haven’t always been recognized. I’m deeply grateful to USA Volleyball, to Coach Karch, and to everyone who has believed in me along this journey. Most importantly, I’m proud of the young men at FVSU who inspire me every day—they are the reason I push myself to keep breaking barriers.”
“I do this for all the kids out there who look like me, because I was once them—with no example to follow. To now step into that gap and become a trailblazer for the next generation means more than any award. Legacy and generational change will outlast any trophy, and for that, I am truly thankful.”
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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of historically black colleges and universities with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous seven-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors nine men's and seven women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit www.thesiac.com.