UTPB

With the switch to the NCAA, the department continued to grow. The Falcons announced plans to start a football program, beginning practice in 2015. As a faculty member, AD, and coach Aicinena had a full slate and stepped down from the volleyball program. In 2014, the reins were handed over to current Head Coach Tim Loesch.

Under Loesch the Falcons moved to the Lone Star Conference from the Heartland where they have become players in the postseason the last two years after struggling after initially switching. In 2018, the Falcons reached the conference playoffs for the first time and finished the season with arguably the biggest upset in program history, knocking off No. 10 Tarleton and handing them their only conference loss on the season on Senior Day.

Last season the Falcons won 20 games for the first time under Loesch and won an LSC playoff game for the first time. The Falcons set a program record for the highest winning percentage after finishing 20-9 among other individual records. The Falcons were also highly successful in the classroom, earning the highest GPA in program history and earned its first American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award.

"It's been fun to be a part of the turnaround," said Loesch. "My tenure started off slow due to injuries and other things, but the players have continued to develop and bought into our play style. It's been a team effort. Everyone bought in and plays volleyball the Falcon way. It's why we work hard every season; the players want to continue to improve and get better on the court and in the classroom."

This season will be a unique one as the Falcons will play their season in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Falcons will still get the opportunity to play for an LSC Championship this spring.

"We're trying to be adaptable and stay in the moment with a different schedule and everything going on," said Loesch. "We as a team want to finish higher in the standings and go farther in the playoffs. Every year we want to do better than the last regardless of the circumstances. The team has raised the bar and set the standards of the program in recent years and we plan on keeping it

there even with so many things up in the air."

Looking back Aicinena has no regrets, even if he didn't plan on coaching when he came to UTPB initially. Even though the game has changed to appeal to a greater audience with things such as rally scoring and changing the number of points to win a set, he still comes to support the program he started in the sport he loves.

"I appreciate the significance in starting an athletic program," said

Aicinena. "The opportunity is something very few get the chance to do and it's something very special."

As for Loesch, he hopes to stick around with the program, possibly another 25 years to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the program.

"Another 25 years is a long time," said Loesch.

"The kids keep me young so I'd love to be here and have a positive impact on young people as long as I can. I'd love to coach here at least as long as

Dr. Aicinena did. I feel blessed to be a part of the program's history and continue the legacy started 25 years ago."