Gurst gets national experience as coach for USA Volleyball program
CAMDEN, N.J. (April 2, 2026) –
David Gurst has made a career of developing student-athletes through his coaching, but the veteran Rutgers University-Camden volleyball coach took his talents to another level in March as a coach for the USA Volleyball's Seated National Team Development Program.
Gurst had the honor of working with athletes and coaches from all over the country from March 12-15 at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. The program "welcomes athletes with physical disabilities to learn and train in sitting volleyball toward National Team consideration," according to the USA Volleyball website.
"I had the opportunity to work with some incredible athletes who are looking to make the national team," said Gurst, who gave a motivational speech, ran drills and coached game play at the SNTDP training. "I also had the opportunity to watch a few of the national team players who demonstrated to the hopefuls what it takes to make it to the national level."
Gurst came away from his experience amazed at the talent and dedication of the athletes he worked with.
"The athletes have a drive and determination that is second to none," he said. "I look forward to seeing some make the national team and hopefully I will be able to see them play in the Paralympics in LA in 2028."
The longest-tenured and winningest coach in Rutgers-Camden volleyball history, Gurst will begin his 12th with the Scarlet Raptors this fall. He has led the team into the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs five times and the ECAC playoffs on four occasions. More importantly, his teams have featured 34 All-NJAC Academic players through his first 10 years, with the 2025-2026 scholastic honors slated to be revealed later this spring. During the 2025 fall semester, the volleyball program saw 10 of its athletes names to the Rutgers-Camden Athletic Director's Honor Roll, including eight who earned Dean's List recognition and three who posted a perfect 4.0 GPA.
When
Mia Owens earned NJAC Honorable Mention for the 2025 season, she became the 15th Scarlet Raptor to earn all-conference honors during Gurst's tenure. One of them, Kaliyah Moss, captured AVCA All-America Honorable Mention in 2021 and was one of two NJAC Rookie of the Year players under Gurst.
David Gurst, right side in the back, watches action at the USA Volleyball training in Oklahoma
