Judi Tobias is entering
her 20th and final season as the Falcons' head volleyball coach in 2015. A 1980 graduate of Messiah College, Tobias has led the Falcons to arguably their best four-season stretch in program history from 2011-2014, with each season including an appearance in the MAC Commonwealth Conference Championship.
Altogether the team has qualified for the conference tournament in six-straight seasons.
Though losing in each of those conference finals appearances, Tobias was named the Commonwealth Coach of the Year in both 2011 and 2012. Additionally, Tobias won her 300th career game in 2013, and now holds a record of 341-232, including a 63-46 mark in the conference. The 341 wins make Tobias the program's all-time winningest coach.
During her time at Messiah, Tobias played volleyball for four years-- including the first three years that volleyball became an official varsity sport for the Falcons.
Immediately following graduation Tobias was an assistant volleyball coach at Messiah under then-head coach Joan Chamberlain. During this time she also taught full-time in the West Shore School District. She taught there for five years before staying home with her children. A few years later Tobias was hired at Red Land High School as their head coach, a position she held for three years.
Tobias later earned a graduate degree and worked part-time at West Shore Recreation. She also had the opportunity to teach some classes at Messiah during that time.
In 1996 Tobias was hired as the head volleyball coach at Messiah and as an instructor for the Health and Human Performance Department teaching physical education classes. Tobias continues to hold these roles.
"It has been a challenging and enlightening position for me," Tobias commented, reflecting on her experience at Messiah. "I have grown in many ways, and the opportunity has provided many moments of enjoyment. With my responsibilities on the court, in the classroom, and the gymnasium, I feel very blessed."
Tobias has transformed the volleyball program into what it is today. Being with the program for so many years she has been able to shape and mold the program into her liking. Tobias started a revolution in volleyball called The Firm Foundation. This is a tool Messiah implements in order to shape young women into "firm" believers in Christ whose "firm" foundation is based on a love for the Savior.
"I have gotten to coach many oustanding student-athletes here at Messiah," Tobias said. "I am excited about the future of our program and the directrion we have been pursuing with mission trips and service experiences. We will continue to work toward keeping the foundation of our program firmly on the Messiah."
Judi is married to husband Randy and has four children: Taryn, Keil, Jory, and Logan. She also has one grandchild, Kolby.