IPFW Director of Athletics Kelley Hartley Hutton has announced that longtime IPFW assistant coach Ryan “Rock” Perrotte has been tabbed as the second head coach in IPFW men’s volleyball program history.

“I am extremely grateful to Chancellor Vicky Carwein, Athletic Director Kelley Hartley Hutton, Coach Arnie Ball, the IPFW volleyball community, alumni, and current players for giving me the opportunity to guide the IPFW men’s volleyball program,” said Perrotte. “I am so humbled and honored to have the opportunity to lead this program, and to work with such an incredible group of student-athletes.”

Perrotte has spent the last 12 seasons as an assistant coach with the IPFW men’s volleyball program, and has helped lead the team to the 2007 National Title game, two NCAA Final Four appearances, and two MIVA Championships. He has coached three All-Americans and 18 All-MIVA selections.

“We are extremely excited about Rock being our next men’s volleyball coach,” said Hartley Hutton. “His deep understanding of the men’s volleyball program and its inner-workings, along with his strong work ethic, will allow him to build upon the strong history of this program.”

Perrotte takes the reigns of the program from volleyball coaching legend Arnie Ball, who retired at the end of the 2015 season with over 500 career men’s volleyball victories to his credit.

“I cannot express in words what Coach Ball has done for me throughout my tenure as a player and his assistant coach here at IPFW,” said Perrotte. “I am so thankful for his support and mentorship during this process, and over the last two decades. I would not be where I am today without Coach Ball being such an incredible influence in my volleyball career. I am honored to have played, coached, and learned from one of the greatest people in the history of college volleyball.”

An alumnus of the volleyball program, Perrotte was named Second Team All-MIVA as a senior, helping the team to a 23-4 overall record, a MIVA Championship, and an appearance at the NCAA Final Four.