Cook Receives Five-Year Contract Extension

Lincoln ? University of Nebraska Athletic Director Steve Pederson announced this week that Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook has signed a five-year contract extension.

Cook, who has guided the Husker volleyball program to a 220-14 record since taking over in 2000, will now be under contract through the 2011 season. This extension replaces the four-year contract Cook signed in 2004.

"Coach Cook has been able to combine all of the principles we value in our volleyball program," Pederson said. "His teams have been champions in the classroom, on the court, and in the way they have carried themselves off the court. This is our way of showing how much we appreciate the work he has done and secures his future with Nebraska. This is a well deserved contract."

Cook said he is thankful for the consistent commitment shown to the Husker program that allows Nebraska to be at the forefront of college volleyball.

"I appreciate the support from Steve Pederson and Chancellor (Harvey) Perlman, and it means a lot to me," Cook said. "Even more important than the contract extension is the emotional support that we receive from the leadership of the University of Nebraska, our Athletic Department, the community of Lincoln and the fans across the state. That truly means more to me than anything else."

In seven seasons at Nebraska, Cook has led the Huskers to a pair of NCAA titles (2000 and 2006), four NCAA Final Fours and six Big 12 titles. One of only five volleyball coaches in NCAA history to be named AVCA National Coach of the Year more than once, Cook has coached three AVCA National Players of the Year and 12 athletes who have combined for 22 All-America certificates.

Nebraska volleyball has also become one of the hottest tickets in the country, selling out its last 90 home matches at the NU Coliseum. The Huskers also attracted a sellout crowd of 17,209 at the Qwest Center in Omaha last December, the largest crowd to ever attend a college volleyball match.

-- Huskers --