Hall of Fame
In his 23 seasons as the head coach of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball team, Orest Stanko became the winningest coach in OUA men’s volleyball history.
He guided the Varsity Blues to 14 division championships and a record 13 OUA championships, including five in a row (1991-95), and was a seven-time OUA East coach of the year.
In total, Orest guided the U of T men’s volleyball team to 12 national championship appearances, with their best finish coming when they earned the CIAU silver medal in 1971.
Orest produced 63 OUA all-stars and 17 all-Canadians, and has seen seven players participate with the Canadian national team. He received U of T’s Thomas R. Loudon Award in 2002 for outstanding service in the advancement of athletics.
In addition to his significant contribution to the Varsity Blues, Orest advanced the sport of volleyball through his roles as tournament director on Volleyball Canada’s national beach tour (1991-2002) and as a member of the Volleyball Canada beach high performance committee (2003-present).
He has been the head coach of several Canadian national teams at the Canada Games, Pan American Games and national tournaments over the last 20 years. In 2003, Orest received the Syl Apps Special Achievement award for recognition of outstanding service to OFSAA and school sport.
Currently the executive director of the Ontario Volleyball Association, Orest is by far the most successful and important men’s volleyball coach at U of T by making the Blues a powerhouse in the OUA and CIS.
