HITT Volleyball Coaches

Benj Heinrichs

Coaching Experience: 22 Years Post-Secondary Head Coach, 25 Years Club Mentor Coach, Provincial Team Mentor Coach, 30 Years Camp Coach

Playing Career: Team Alberta, Red Deer College, University of Calgary, Team Canada, Professional in Europe

Education: BPE, MKin (Coaching), Certified Personal Trainer, Precision Nutrition Certified

Marital Status: Married

Benj Heinrichs’ volleyball experience began in 1987 as a player and over the course of 20 years he competed for Team Alberta, the Red Deer College Kings, University of Calgary Dinos, Team Canada, and professionally in Europe. Benj won a national championship with the Dinos in 1993 and was named an ACAC and Canada West All-Star. He was also the 1997 US Nationals Senior Men’s MVP while playing for Canuck Stuff and the 2002 Canadian Nationals Senior Men’s MVP while a member of FOG. From 1995-1997 while obtaining his Masters of Kinesiology in The Art and Science of Coaching, Benj was an assistant coach with the University of Calgary Dinos. For 14 years, Benj was a faculty member at Medicine Hat College teaching Kinesiology classes and coaching volleyball, where he led the men’s team for four seasons before switching to the women’s program in 2003. During this time, Benj earned 2 ACAC Coach of the Year awards. In 2013 he moved north to head coach the NAIT Ooks women’s program and retired in 2021 after 22 years in the ACAC.

Benj is obsessed with creating optimal learning environments and focusing on the few simple keys that will have the biggest impact on improving both skills and mindset. He believes in the holistic development of the athlete and creates an environment that allows players to strive to do their best in all aspects of life.