Champions Unlimited Canada

Alan Knipe has established himself as one of the most respected and accomplished leaders in the history of American volleyball. As a national champion player, three-time NCAA National Championship coach, former Head Coach of the United States Men’s National Team, and longtime architect of Long Beach State’s championship culture, Knipe has spent more than three decades shaping the game at the collegiate, professional, and international levels.

A Southern California native, Knipe began his collegiate career at Orange Coast College before transferring to Long Beach State, where he quickly emerged as one of the nation’s premier middle blockers. During his time with the Beach, he helped lead the program to back-to-back NCAA Championship appearances, culminating in the university’s first NCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship in 1991. His outstanding play earned him All-American honors in consecutive seasons, including First-Team All-America recognition in 1992.

Following college, Knipe represented the United States on the international stage as a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team while also competing professionally in Europe. His playing career provided firsthand experience competing against many of the world’s top athletes and programs, laying the foundation for the coaching philosophy that would later define his career.

Knipe transitioned into coaching with immediate success, capturing a California State Junior College Championship at Golden West College before returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach and eventually becoming Head Coach of Long Beach State in 2001. Under his leadership, the Beach developed into one of the premier programs in collegiate volleyball, consistently competing for national championships and producing elite athletes who advanced to professional leagues and national teams around the world.

His tenure at Long Beach State has been highlighted by three NCAA National Championships in 2018, 2019, and 2025, multiple conference championships, and numerous NCAA Final Four appearances. Along the way, Knipe earned multiple AVCA National Coach of the Year and Conference Coach of the Year honors while mentoring several National Players of the Year and All-Americans. His emphasis on accountability, culture, and player development has made Long Beach State one of the gold standards in collegiate volleyball.

In 2009, Knipe was selected to lead the United States Men’s National Team, taking over one of the sport’s most prestigious programs. During his tenure, Team USA reached multiple FIVB World League Finals, earned silver medals at the NORCECA Championships and FIVB World League, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2012 Olympic Games after winning its preliminary pool. His leadership on the international stage further reinforced his reputation as one of volleyball’s premier strategic minds.

Beyond championships and accolades, Knipe is widely recognized for his ability to build sustainable winning cultures and develop athletes into leaders both on and off the court. His coaching philosophy centers on discipline, accountability, continuous improvement, and creating environments where individuals can maximize their potential while contributing to team success.

Today, Alan Knipe continues to influence the future of the sport through coaching, mentorship, and leadership development, sharing decades of championship experience with athletes, coaches, and organizations across all levels of volleyball. His legacy extends far beyond wins and titles, reflecting a lifelong commitment to excellence and the continued growth of the game.

Dan Lewis is one of Canada’s most accomplished volleyball leaders, bringing together the experience of an elite international playing career with a proven track record of coaching at the highest levels of the sport. A former Canadian National Team libero and current Head Coach of the Canadian Men’s National Team, Lewis has spent decades competing and leading across some of the world’s most respected volleyball programs, earning recognition for his technical expertise, leadership, and commitment to athlete development.

Born in Oakville, Ontario, Lewis began building his legacy at the University of Manitoba, where he quickly established himself as one of the nation’s premier collegiate athletes. As a freshman, he was named CIAU Rookie of the Year and Championship MVP while helping lead the Manitoba Bisons to a national championship. He concluded his university career by capturing a second national title, setting the foundation for what would become an extraordinary international career.

Following his collegiate success, Lewis represented Canada on the international stage for more than 15 years as a member of the Canadian Men’s National Team. Known for his consistency, defensive excellence, and leadership as a libero, he competed in major international competitions around the world, including the NORCECA Championship and the Pan American Games, helping Canada earn bronze medals and solidifying his reputation as one of the country’s elite defenders.

Professionally, Lewis built an exceptional career throughout Europe, competing in Switzerland, France, Poland, and Slovenia for some of the continent’s top clubs. During his playing career, he won multiple domestic league championships and cup titles, including two Polish Championships and four Slovenian Championships, while competing in the CEV Champions League against many of the world’s best players. His achievements also include being recognized as the Best Receiver at the 2010 CEV Champions League, highlighting his reputation as one of Europe’s premier defensive specialists.

After retiring from competition, Lewis transitioned seamlessly into coaching, applying the same attention to detail and high-performance mindset that defined his playing career. He served as an assistant coach with Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team, contributing to the program’s development on the international stage, including its preparation for the Tokyo Olympic cycle. He has also played a significant role in Canada’s NextGen and junior national programs, mentoring the next generation of elite athletes and coaches.

In 2025, Lewis was appointed Head Coach of the Canadian Men’s National Team, becoming the leader of one of the country’s premier high-performance programs while also serving as head coach of professional club Stade Poitevin in France. His appointment reflects decades of experience competing and coaching at the international level, as well as his reputation for building disciplined, technically sound, and championship-caliber teams.

Respected throughout the volleyball community for his calm leadership, tactical intelligence, and athlete-first philosophy, Lewis emphasizes long-term development, accountability, and continuous improvement. His approach combines elite technical training with high-performance systems, helping athletes maximize their potential while preparing them to succeed in collegiate, professional, and international environments.

Today, Dan Lewis continues to influence the future of volleyball through his work with national teams, professional organizations, and high-performance development initiatives, sharing decades of world-class experience to inspire and elevate the next generation of athletes and coaches.

Neil Mason is a 3× National Championship Coach and the recipient of the 2006 United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Developmental Coach of the Year Award, recognized for his contributions to developing athletes, coaches, and programs at the highest levels of sport. With experience as both an elite athlete and championship coach, Mason brings a unique perspective to player development, recruiting, leadership, and high-performance program building.

A native of Ontario, Canada, Mason attended Pope John Paul II High School, where he established himself as one of the country’s top young volleyball players. He was a two-time school MVP, a Provincial Gold Medalist, and represented Canada on the Canadian Junior National Team. Competing internationally at the NORCECA Championships, he helped Canada earn a silver medal and was recognized as Canada’s award recipient. He was also named MVP of the National Team Challenge Cup.

Mason earned a full athletic scholarship to Long Beach State University, where he competed for four years at the NCAA Division I level. During his collegiate career, he was a member of an NCAA Final Four semifinalist team, served as a President’s Ambassador, and was named a 1999 GTE Academic All-American, reflecting his commitment to excellence both on the court and in the classroom.

Following his playing career, Mason transitioned into coaching and quickly established himself as one of the sport’s leading developmental coaches. His work has resulted in multiple national championships, collegiate scholarships, professional opportunities, and national team athletes. In recognition of his impact on athlete development, he received the 2006 USOC Developmental Coach of the Year Award.

Known for his ability to combine technical training, performance analysis, leadership development, and recruiting strategy, Mason works closely with athletes and families to create clear pathways toward their athletic and academic goals. His approach emphasizes long-term development, character, accountability, and helping athletes maximize their potential both in sport and in life.

Today, Mason continues to advise athletes, families, clubs, universities, and organizations on player development, recruiting, leadership, and high-performance program growth, helping individuals and teams achieve success at every level of competition.

Pylyp Harmash is an international volleyball coach and former professional libero with extensive playing and coaching experience. Known for his technical expertise and athlete development approach, Harmash helps athletes prepare for the next level through high-level training, mentorship, and international experience.