Wandler brings years of collegiate success to new role as Griffins women's volleyball head coach
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Bringing a strong track record at the collegiate and Canada Games volleyball levels, Chris Wandler has been named the new head coach of the MacEwan Griffins women's volleyball team, Director of Athletics Joel Mrak announced Monday.
Wandler will become the 17th head coach in MacEwan's 46-year women's volleyball history when he officially starts on June 1.
Previously, he served as bench boss of the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens for six seasons (2016-22), most memorably guiding them to a 22-1 record, an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference championship and Canadian Colleges Athletics Association bronze medal in 2021-22.
"We are very much looking forward to Chris joining the Griffins," said Mrak. "His extensive experience in collegiate volleyball and his athlete-centered approach to coaching make him an excellent fit for the women's volleyball program.
"We know he is eager to get going with the team and can't wait to see what he accomplishes in the coming seasons."
Chris Wandler (first row, left) led the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens to the 2021-22 ACAC women's volleyball championship.
Wandler, who was named ACAC South coach of the year in 2019 and also won two ACAC bronze medals with the Queens (2017 and 2018), has previous ACAC experience with the Olds College Broncos as their head coach (2012-16), guiding them to the playoffs in all four years and to an ACAC bronze medal in 2015.
"I am extremely honored to be the next head coach of the MacEwan Griffins," said Wandler. "I'm thrilled to be given the opportunity to join this team and help them achieve their goals. This group has a good foundation left behind by the previous coaches and it's my intention to build upon these bedrocks."
Also on his resume: Wandler was at the helm of Team Alberta's first women's volleyball gold medal winner at the Canada Games, when they won the championship in 2013.
He was also named 2008 Volleyball Alberta women's coach of the year and captured the 2009 city of Red Deer coach of the year honour.
At MacEwan, he'll be taking over a young team that gained strides in 2022-23 under interim head coach Dusty Freimark and will be looking to return to the Canada West post-season for the first time since 2020.
