Prior to joining TCA, Steve served as the Director of Volleyball Operations assisting the PSU Women’s team to the 2007 National Championship. In that season the Lions went 32-2 while going a perfect 20-0 in the Big Ten Conference. With the help of Steve’s training, four players went on to earn AVCA All-American Honors. The list of players included Christa Harmotto, the 2007 Big Ten Player of the year, Alisha Glass, 2007 2nd Team All American, Arielle Wilson, the 2007 Big Ten Freshman of the year, and Megan Hodge, the MVP of the 2007 NCAA Final Four.
Before PSU, Steve built his coaching career in Ohio. He spent three years as an assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati while serving as the recruiting coordinator. In his last season Cincinnati brought in one of the premier recruiting classes in the country. One of his recruits, Stephanie Neimer, went on be named the 2007 Big East Freshman of the year. Steve also helped build practices and trained players such as AVCA All-American Jessie Nevitt. While at Cincinnati Steve also found time to coach at the club level. As a coach for Team Z he took squads to Open Nationals in back to back seasons. In 2005 he coached the 17’s team to a third place finish in the Open Division at Nationals.
Preceding his time at Cincinnati, Steve spent three years at Auburn as an assistant coach. His responsibilities included team travel logistics, marketing, and scouting, as well as training. In his first season the team recorded one win finishing last in the conference. During his last season the team qualified as the 7th seed in the prestigious SEC. In just three seasons Auburns RPI jumped almost 200 points. At the age of the 23, Steve was the youngest assistant coach in the SEC. Steve began his coaching career just two years before working with Auburn. As a senior in college Steve served as the Volunteer Assistant at PSU working with three different All-Americans. Shortly after graduation Steve took an assistant coaching position at Davidson which would launch his successful career.
Steve started coaching after a successful playing career. A former member of the Canadian Junior National Team, Steve was recruited and played against colleges all across the country. After competing internationally with Team Canada, Steve accepted the offer to attend Penn State. By his junior season Steve was named the teams’ captain. Under his leadership Penn State went to 3 NCAA Final Fours.
Steve has developed many valued connections with players and coaches all over the nation. In addition, he has coached U.S.A. Select teams on international tours. He is a noted clinician and has spoken for various groups and presented at hundreds of coaching clinics and camps all over the world. Steve holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State in Sports Management. He has also taught volleyball classes at the collegiate level and has consulted with numerous high schools and club programs.
He recently married Brandy, who will bring her talents as an executive chef to the So. Cal. Area. Steve’s presence will be felt in all TCA’s nationwide as he shares his passion, skills, and commitment to continue the success of TCA.
List of NCAA All-American’s during Steve Aird’s tenure at Penn State –
Christa Harmatto – First Team All American
Megan Hodge – NCAA Final Four MVP, First Team All American
Alisha Glass – Second Team All American
Arielle Wilson –Big Ten Freshman of the Year
Jessie Nevitt –2005 and 2006 Honorable Mention All American
