Tweet

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Fred Chao will be joining the Virginia Tech volleyball staff as an assistant coach, as announced by head coach Chris Riley and the Virginia Tech athletics department on July 31.

Chao brings more than 23 years of volleyball coaching experience to the Tech staff, including 17 in the men’s game and six in the women’s.

“Fred brings an incredible knowledge for the game and he is a terrific teacher. Adding Fred to our family is a tremendous addition for Virginia Tech," Riley said.

Chao joins the Hokies after serving as the head coach of the men’s volleyball program at George Mason since 1998. A three-time Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Coach of the Year, Chao guided the Patriots to 15 consecutive appearances in the EIVA Championship Tournament. Mason made it to the EIVA final five times in Chao’s era, losing all matches at the hands of volleyball powerhouse and national champion Penn State. The Patriots overall record with Chao at the helm was 246-204.

Chao simultaneously worked with the George Mason women’s volleyball program as well, serving as an assistant coach from 1998-2004.

The George Mason men’s team achieved national rankings during several seasons under the leadership of Chao. In 2006, Chao led the Patriots to one of their most successful seasons ever, as they finished 22-6 overall, with an 11-1 record in conference play. George Mason finished the season as the No. 14 team in the nation, marking the second consecutive season the Patriots finished the season ranked among the nation's top 15. Mason was ranked in every top-15 poll during the 2008 season, reaching a high of No. 11, and finishing the season as the only team to defeat eventual national champion Penn State, downing the Nittany Lions in four games on March 7 at the Mason Field House.

Chao also has international experience. In 2005, he served as an assistant coach on the USA Junior National Team that traveled to India for the World Championships.

Prior to landing his positions at George Mason, he was an assistant coach at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (1997-98).

A Silver Spring, Maryland native, Chao graduated from George Mason with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a concentration in physiological psychology, in 1994. He received his master’s degree in educational psychology, with a concentration in learning, cognition and motivation, in 2014.

For updates on Virginia Tech volleyball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_VBall