Kansas Athletics
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The University of Kansas will officially dedicate the Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena court in honor of former legendary head volleyball coach Ray Bechard this Friday prior to the team's match against Houston.
The Horejsi court will officially be named "Ray Bechard Court" in recognition of Bechard's outstanding contributions to the university, athletics department and volleyball program.
"Naming the court in honor of Coach Bechard was an absolute no-brainer," Kansas Director of Athletics Travis Goff said. "Kansas Volleyball simply would not be what it is today without Ray. His extraordinary impact extends far beyond the success he built on the court—he has shaped this program, strengthened our university and positively influenced generations of Jayhawks. Few people have left a more meaningful legacy at Kansas. It is only fitting that the court he helped make so special will forever bear his name, and we could not be more proud to honor Coach Bechard and his family in this way."
Bechard retired following the 2024 season after 27 seasons at the helm of the Jayhawks and is the winningest coach in program history, posting a 496-313 record. He guided the Jayhawks to 13 NCAA Tournaments, three Sweet Sixteens, a 2015 Final Four berth and the 2016 Big 12 Championship, the program's first conference title and coached 12 AVCA All-Americans.
"It's pretty overwhelming to be honest," former Kansas Head Volleyball Coach Ray Bechard said. "You'd like to think that over 27 years you made an impression and that people appreciate the body of work and all the effort you put into it. Certainly, this is a lot more than we could have imagined."
A five-time Big 12 Coach of the Year and three-time AVCA Region Coach of the Year, Bechard led Kansas to six straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2012 to 2017, a span that included 45 consecutive weeks ranked in the AVCA Coaches Poll. His 2015 squad reached the NCAA National Semifinals and the following season, his 2016 team earned the program its first Big 12 conference title with a 15-1 league record.
A Grinnell, Kan., native, Bechard took over the Jayhawks program in 1998 after 13 seasons at Barton County Community College. He etched his name in the Kansas volleyball record books, including being named the 2015 National Coach of the Year, is a member of the AVCA Hall of Fame Class of 2025, Kansas Volleyball Association Hall of Fame, NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame, and earned the T-Mobile Legacy Award at Kansas City Sports Awards. Bechard was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Bechard will be joined by his wife Pam, daughter Ashley and son-in-law Erik, son Brennan and daughter-in-law, Danielle and grandchildren, Evie, Hutchins, Mason, Jane, Lucy, Mack and Bo when Ray Bechard Court is officially showcased to fans for the first time this Friday.