BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic University has named Steve Grotowski as head beach volleyball coach, announced Brian White, FAU’s vice president and director of athletics on Monday.
Grotowski assumes the helm of a program that was under the direction of his wife Capri, who recently lost her battle to cancer, and one that he has been heavily involved since the program began as an emerging NCAA sport.
Grotowski has been with the program in various roles from volunteer assistant in 2015 to most recently serving as the acting head coach at the 2022 NCAA National Championship, where the Owls downed Stanford to advance to the Elite 8. The Owls pulled off the historic win in the program’s first appearance at the NCAA Championship event. Along with the many accolades the team received, Grotwoski was named the National Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
“We are very excited to about the future of the FAU beach volleyball program under Steve’s leadership. While it was an extremely difficult time for Steve and his family, what he and the team accomplished last season was nothing short of remarkable, with Steve earning national assistant coach of the year honors and the team finishing at No. 8 in the national rankings,” said White. “Steve and Capri built the program into a national contender, and we believe Steve is the right person to continue to build upon that foundation. As the head coach of the Sandy Owls, Steve will bring a continued devotion to the development of our student-athletes, both in competition and in preparation for life after college.”
Grotowski has been a mainstay of the program the last eight seasons, including six winning seasons, and has been instrumental in the program’s continual ascent among the nation’s elite. The Owls climbed to No. 8 in the final poll of 2022, marking the program’s best national ranking ever.
“I am such a mixed bag of emotions. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead this team and sad to be doing it without my best friend, wife, and boss,” said Grotowski. “I want to say a big thank you to all the players, coaches, staff, and administrators at FAU for their help and support these last few months. I can’t wait to see what this awesome team is going to achieve in Capri’s memory.”
Grotowski played a role in the incredible career achieved by Erica Brok/Mackenzie Morris. The all-time winningest pair in FAU history, with 95 victories together, ended their FAU careers as two-time AVCA First Team All-America selections, three-time AVCA Top Flight honorees, 2022 C-USA Pair of the Year, CCSA Co-Freshman of the Year, among a large list of other honors. Brok followed her record-setting career with a Team USA National training camp invite while Morris closed out her final campaign as the 2022 FAU Student-Athlete of the Year.
He also assisted in the development of the 2022 C-USA Freshman of the Year Julie Honzovocivoa, as well as All-CUSA First Team Pair Courtney Moon/Marketa Svozilova.
Grotowski played professional beach volleyball on the AVP and internationally on the FIVB World Tour for over a decade. In 2012, Grotowski earned a berth to the London Olympics where he competed for his native Great Britain.
In addition to an extensive playing career, he also has coached junior volleyball for boys and girls since 2000. He currently runs VB Beach volleyball club. Born in London, England, Grotowski has lived in South Florida for over 25 years.
