Aurora University Men's Volleyball

Dan Ames was named Head Coach of the Aurora University men's volleyball program in May of 2019. Ames took over the reigns of the Spartan men's volleyball program that was entering its third year of existence in 2020. In his time at AU, Ames has built the Spartans into a yearly contender in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference and a top program in the region and country on an annual basis. The 2025 team made the programs first appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament. Prior to coming to AU, Ames spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at North Central College with the Cardinals men's and women's programs. Ames made his mark at the collegiate level at NACC rival Dominican University where he served as the Stars first NCAA Division III men's volleyball head coach and helped build their men's volleyball program from the ground up. In three short seasons, Ames built the Stars program into one of the top Division III program in the country. Ames was the 2017 AVCA Division III Men's Volleyball Coach of the Year. Ames was an owner of two volleyball clubs, Naperville Volleyball Club and Pipeline Volleyball Club. During his time with the clubs, he amassed an impressive resume at the club level, posting second and third place finishes at the AAU National Championship in 1999 and 2000 with the Sports Performance Volleyball Club as well as a second place finish at the Asics National Championships in 2004 with the 16-Mizuno and 18-Runbird boys teams. While with Sports Performance Volleyball Club, the club became the first ever to two top five seeds in the same Boys’ Junior Olympics 18-Open Boys’ Tournament.   AURORA UNIVERSITY COACHING RECORD YEAR OVERALL CONFERENCE (Place) 2020* 12-4 2-1 2021 11-7 8-3 (4th) 2022 17-10 9-3 (3rd) 2023 15-11 11-1 (T-1st) 2024 18-10 11-1 (T-1st) 2025 26-5^ 11-1 (1st) 2026 20-7 10-2 (T-2nd) 7 Years 119-54 (.688) 62-12 (.838) Career - 11 Years 190-91 (.676)      * 2020 season was canceled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic ^ NCAA Appearance

James Seitelman was named Head Women’s Volleyball Coach in the winter of 2013 and Head Men's Coach for the 2019 season in December 2018. Prior to the 2019-2020 season, Seitelman added responsibilities as an Assistant Athletic Director to his portfolio.  Seitelman came to AU from the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Under Seitelman, the Spartan women have accrued a 240-129 overall record and 113-24 in the NACC. Seitelman has built the Spartans into an annual contender for the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference title and NCAA Division III Tournament appearances. The 2018 season saw the Spartan women put together a historic season for AU, Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference and the women's volleyball program. AU won the first conference championship since 2006 and then won the first conference tournament title in program history. Making their second appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament, the Spartans began the record setting run by winning the first match for AU and a NACC school in the NCAA Tournament when AU defeated (then #9) Trinity University, Texas 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-17). AU then went on to defeat top seeded and (then #10) University of Chicago (3-2 - 18-25, 25-17, 23-25, 30-28, 15-10) and then 11th ranked Illinois Wesleyan 3-1 (25-14, 22-25, 25-21, 25-18) to capture its first NCAA Tournament regional championship. AU lost a closely played match to top ranked Calvin College in the national quarterfinals. Prior to his tenure at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Seitelman was the Assistant Men’s Volleyball Coach t his alma mater, Springfield College from 2003-2005, and spent 2006-2008 at Western New England College as an Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach. He was promoted to Interim Head Coach at Western New England College during the 2008 season. He has also coached at the high school level twice. Seitelman was the Fermi (CT) High School Head Boys' Volleyball Coach from 2006-08 and the Sachem (NY) High School Assistant Girls' Volleyball Coach from 2002-2003. The Springfield College graduate has a bachelor's of science degree in elementary education and a master's of education degree in physical education.   While playing at Springfield, Seitelman racked up several impressive accolades. As a four-year starter, he was part of two National Championship teams (2001, 2002). During those same two years, Seitelman was tabbed as an All-American and in 2001 took home the National Championship MVP Award. He was a member of the Team USA at the Arafaua Games in Darwin, Australia in 2001 and left Springfield College as the career leader in blocks.   Seitelman is a member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and is USA Volleyball Impact certified.   AURORA UNIVERSITY COACHING RECORD YEAR OVERALL CONFERENCE (Place) 2013 12-18 5-6 (6th) 2014 23-12 7-4 (4th) 2015 13-18 7-4 (5th) 2016 27-9 10-1 (2nd) 2017 26-8 10-1 (2nd) 2018 26-9 12-0 (1st) 2019 23-11 10-2 (1st) 2020 (spring 2021) 8-1 7-1 (1st) 2021 20-9 12-1 (1st) 2022 22-10 10-1 (1st) 2023 21-11 12-1 (1st) 2024 19-13 11-2 (T-2nd) 2025 22-9 11-2 (3rd) 13 Years 262-138 (.655) 124-26 (.827) Career - 15 Years 274-182 (.601)

Bryan Johnwick joined the Aurora University men's volleyball coaching staff in the fall of 2023. Prior to AU, Johnwick spent 8 seasons as an assistant coach with the Lewis University men’s volleyball program as a full-time assistant and volunteer assistant. He was named the 2021 AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year after helping Lewis finish as a national semifinalist. The Flyers had a 173-56 record with Johnwick on the bench during his eight seasons. The Flyers earned 31 AVCA All-America honors and 41 All-MIVA selections. Lewis won the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association in 2021 and 2019.  Johnwick boasts 4 NCAA Tournament appearances along with a NCAA Runner-Up Finish in 2015 and 3 NCAA Final Four Appearances.   Johnwick came to Lewis after spending six years at the Sports Performance Volleyball Club in Aurora, Illinois. He served as the club director for the boys program and was the head coach of the SPVB 18 Mizuno team. He led the SPVB 18 Mizuno team to a fourth-place finish in the 18 Open division at the USAV Junior National Championships in 2011 followed by fifth-place finishes in 2012 and 2014.   In addition, Johnwick was the head coach at Naperville Central High School for three years and assistant coach at Naperville North High School for one year. He led the Redhawks to a Sweet 16 season in 2008 and helped lead the Huskies to a Sweet 16 season in 2007.   Johnwick has also been involved within the USA Volleyball coaching pipeline with multiple roles as a NTDP coach at the national training series.   Johnwick, a middle hitter on Lewis University’s 1998 NCAA National Semifinalist and MIVA Championship squad, graduated from Lewis in 2000 with a degree in athletic training and pre-professional physical therapy. He served as team captain in his junior and senior seasons and earned the Most Improved Player Award following the 1998 season. Johnwick earned MIVA Academic All-Conference all four seasons and was awarded the Brother David Delahanty Student-Athlete Award in 2000. The 1998 men’s volleyball team was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024.     Johnwick earned his doctorate and master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University in 2002. Afterwards, he worked as a physical therapist in orthopedic clinics and home health around the Chicagoland area.   Johnwick and his wife, Laura are the parents of two children, Tyler and Madison.

Gus Colima joined the Aurora University men's volleyball coaching staff in the fall of 2019.  Colima has been the varsity assistant coach in both the men's and women's program at Metea Valley High school since 2010. Gus helped the Metea Valley Mustangs win the school’s first 4A Girls Volleyball State Title for the 2021 season. Throughout his 16+ year coaching career he has been involved in various high-performing volleyball club programs in the Chicagoland area coaching both men's and women's teams. Aside from coaching individual teams Colima also has club program director experience, as well as experience with new program development.  He played varsity volleyball at Elgin High School. After high school became a union carpenter and has been playing in USAV adult teams and various indoor, and sand leagues in the Naperville / Plainfield area to this day. Coach Gus, and his family love being outdoors, as well as attending many volleyball events with his wife Jess, and their two kids, Skyla and Shaylyn.