KU’s Bechard, Rockhurst’s Rietzke inducted into AVCA Hall of Fame in Kansas City
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- Ray Bechard and Tracy Rietzke inducted into AVCA Hall of Fame in KC, 2025.
- Bechard compiled 1,200+ wins, 13 NCAA appearances, a 2016 Big 12 title.
- Rietzke amassed 1,105 wins over 38 seasons, never posted a losing campaign.
Local coaching legends Ray Bechard of Kansas and Tracy Rietzke of Rockhurst University were inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame during a Thursday ceremony at the Kansas City Convention Center.
Bechard amassed more than 1,200 victories in his 27 seasons with the Jayhawks and 13 at Barton Community College. He was a two-time AVCA National Junior College coach of the year, a five-time Big 12 coach of the year and a three-time AVCA Division I regional coach of the year.
“I am truly humbled with this honor, especially coming from the coaches’ organization,” Bechard said in a news release. “The AVCA has been a great platform for all coaches in the sport.
“Like any award, this is not about me but all the players, coaches, and staff that I have worked with throughout my career. I have been so blessed to have the support of my family, the University of Kansas and Barton County Community College throughout my career.”
Bechard guided the Jayhawks to 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, including three Sweet Sixteens, a 2015 Final Four berth and the 2016 Big 12 Championship — the program’s first conference title. He compiled a record of 496-313 (.613) at KU and coached 12 AVCA All-Americans in Lawrence.
Bechard led KU to six straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2012 to 2017, a span that included 45 consecutive weeks with the Jayhawks ranked in the AVCA coaches poll. His 2015 squad reached the NCAA national semifinals. His 2016 KU team went 15-1 in the league.
A native of Grinnell, Kansas and graduate of Fort Hays State University, Bechard went 716-60 (.923) in 13 seasons at Barton from 1985 to 1997. His success led to induction into the NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998.
He also has been enshrined in the Barton County Community College Sports Hall of Fame and the Kansas Volleyball Association Hall of Fame.
“Ray created a consistent powerhouse at Kansas, and he did so with integrity, dignity, and class,” Joe Sagula, former North Carolina volleyball coach and 2024 AVCA Hall of Fame inductee, told AVCA.org.
“He has mentored scores of athletes and coaches, and he always gives back to the sport by sharing of his time, energy, insights, and wisdom,” Sagula added.
Bechard retired at the end of the 2024 season.
Rietzke, an NAIA All-America basketball player at Kansas Wesleyan, in 38 years as a volleyball coach (32 years at Rockhurst, six at Kansas Wesleyan) amassed 1,105 victories. He never experienced a losing season.
The Kensington, Kansas native began his coaching career in 1982 at Kansas Wesleyan, where he led the volleyball team to 182 wins while also coaching the school’s softball and women’s basketball teams.
He took over at Rockhurst University in Kansas City in 1988 and proceeded to help the Hawks win 82.8% of their volleyball matches until he retired in 2020. In 2019, he was named USMC/American Volleyball Coaches Association D-II national coach of the year as Rockhurst posted a 33-8 record.
“Tracy Rietzke’s a winner among winners and a giant in our sport,” said Rick Squiers, volleyball coach at University of Nebraska Kearney. “More importantly, he mentored countless young women and empowered them to compete while chasing big goals—both as players and in life.”
Rietzke was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
“Coaching was something that I was always interested in,” Rietzke said in comments on the Missouri Sports Hall Website. “My older brother, Tim, influenced me along with Randy St. Clair. I would say Ken Cochran had some influence on me when I helped out as a volunteer assistant men’s basketball coach at Marymount College.
“I think I made a good choice starting at KW,” added Rietzke. “Obviously, it was a huge step going from KW to Rockhurst (in 1988). You never know how that will play out. I never envisioned staying 32 years at Rockhurst. It was obviously a good decision. I think God is your pilot.”
Rietzke was also a stellar basketball coach. The Rockhurst women’s basketball team recorded a 206-45 record in eight seasons under Rietzke’s direction and played in five NAIA national tournaments.
Jenny Hahn, executive director of the Junior Volleyball Association from 2010-24, also was enshrined in the AVCA Hall of Fame on Thursday. She has been awarded USA Volleyball’s Robert L. Lindsay Meritorious Service Award as well as the Leif Storvik Award during her career.
Alan Knipe, a three-time AVCA Men’s national collegiate coach of the year at Long Beach State, also was inducted Thursday.
He has won 450 matches In 22 seasons at Long Beach State for a .723 winning percentage. He has coached seven AVCA National Collegiate players of the year. He also has been part of all four of the school’s NCAA men’s titles—first in 1991 as a player and then as the coach of the 2018, 2019, and 2025 championship teams.
Thursday’s ceremony was held at Kansas City Convention Center in conjunction with Final Four weekend.
