Traditions

Kerby Bentley

His volleyball collegiate career began at Niagara College in 1996 as a member of the Knights Men’s Volleyball team. In his fourth year, he led to their first ever OCAA Gold Medal Championship in 1999–2000 and a fourth-place finish at the CCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championships. His personal accomplishments are many. He was a two-time member of the West team All-Stars. He led the Knights and OCAA on defence with 56 block, and was named Niagara College Male Rookie of the Year in 1997.

He was the recipient of the Niagara College Athlete of Distinction award and CCAA Player of the Month in 1998. During the 1998–99 season in which he led the Knights in scoring, he was named team MVP, and Niagara College Male Athlete of the Year.

In his fourth and final season, Kerby was presented with the first Niagara College Recognition Award, honoring graduating athletes for four years of outstanding contribution to their respective varsity team.

He returned to Niagara as an Assistant Coach of the Men’s Volleyball team for two years before becoming the Head Coach in the Fall of 2002.

While a member of the Knights men’s team as a player and coach, Kerby help lead Niagara to an impressive record of  116 wins and 33 losses which includes OCAA and CCAA playoffs;

Three OCAA Gold Medals; Two Silver Medals; Five Consecutive Western Region Titles; Four Trips to the CCAA National Championships where twice they finished fourth.

In September 2005, Kerby agreed to take over the Women’s Volleyball program where he directed the Knights to one OCAA Western Region title, a fourth place finish at the OCAA championships and a record of 48 wins and 37 losses.

He was very instrumental in building two of the largest high school boys and girls volleyball tournaments in Ontario. These tournaments, which introduced hundreds of students to Niagara College, also provided the Niagara coaching staff an opportunity to identify prospective athletes for their programs. The tournaments also served as fundraisers for Niagara’s varsity volleyball teams.

In 2004, he was recognized for his outstanding contribution to recruitment as he was the recipient of the Niagara College Coaching Excellence and Outstanding contribution to Recruitment and Retention Award. In 2009, the Niagara College Information Department introduced the Niagara Champion Award. Kerby was the first recipient of this award.

Kerby is a graduate of the Niagara College Hotel Management and Culinary Management programs and is currently a member of the Niagara College athletic staff.