Catherine Monroe joins the Pace community this year as the Head Volleyball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director. Joining a team with a history of success, Coach Monroe looks forward to getting to know the people and the program more. “I’m looking forward to contributing to a strong tradition of volleyball excellence,” she said. “I want to continue to get to know the varsity team, but also the program-wide dynamics and culture.”
Throughout her career, Coach Monroe has experienced varied types of volleyball programs, ranging from large Texas public schools to international schools in Europe. She is very passionate about coaching high school athletics. “There’s a great opportunity to teach these intangible skills, like collaboration and work ethic, that students don’t always learn in the classroom but have the opportunity to learn from athletics,” she said. On the court, Coach Monroe believes that maintaining a balance between discipline and fun is the best way to improve as a team. “There are moments to laugh and be silly, but there are also moments to be focused and step up to compete.”
In her role as a female head coach, Coach Monroe also looks to inspire and support girls in athletics. “When I was growing up female athletics were very much in the shadow of male athletics, and I took that very hard and personally,” she said. “Part of the reason I was driven to be a coach of females is to continue to empower and grow the reputation and thought around females and athletics.”
Nick Bach is joining the Pace Athletic Office this fall as the Head Football Coach and Game-Day Administrator. Having experience at both the high school and college levels, Coach Bach has a coaching system in place to support every member of the team. “I am a players’ coach and let them take the ownership of the team and decide how we act,” he said. “For me, it’s not about what socks they are wearing, but how they are treating people and their priorities in the classroom.”
As Coach Bach looks ahead to the season, he wants to get to know the players and program more. “I’m looking forward to seeing how they react to all the ups and downs,” he said. “Football is a long, tough season with a lot of challenges, and if we can keep it together it seems like we will have a very special group.”
Coach Bach also admires how supportive the Pace community is to each other and looks to back it up with his coaching. “I care about where they are going and that they have a desire to be successful. There is a great support system, so it’s a matter of making sure they are on the right path and trying to assist them along the way.”