COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado - Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball head coach John Hawks has been selected to pilot the U21 Men's National Team at the 2024 U21 NORCECA Men's Continental Championship this summer, the organization announced Monday.

The NORCECA Men's Continental Championship, which runs June 9-17 in Nogales, Mexico, serves as a qualifier for the 2025 FIVB World Championship. Hawks' team will begin training June 1-8 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

"It's an absolute honor and a privilege to represent USA Volleyball as the head coach of the U21 junior national team," said Hawks. "To compete internationally with potential future Olympic athletes is a dream. Thank you, once again, USA Volleyball for entrusting me to lead this extraordinary group, and thank you to Loyola Athletics for allowing me to pursue my growth internationally as a coach,"

The full staff is as follows:

Head Coach: John Hawks, Loyola Chicago
Assistant Coach: Donan Cruz, Ball State
Assistant Coach: Matthew Pollock, Pepperdine
Performance Analyst: AJ Ruttenberg, UCLA
Athletic Trainer: Chris Cornell
Team Leader: Donovan Martinez

"Rest assured, the staff is humbled, and we will make the volleyball community proud by our work ethic while wearing USA on our chests," Hawks continued. "Lastly, a huge thanks to my wife, Julianne, for all her unwavering love and support! I couldn't do this without her willingness to take on more!"

Previously, Hawks served as the head coach for the USMNT in the summer of 2019. His team, which included former Rambler, Jeff Jendryk, finished second in the NORCECA Continental Championship in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Hawks was also on staff for gold medals at two Pan American Cups, and a bronze medal at the World University Games. Through the years, he's helped numerous teams through USA Volleyball receive international recognition.