Courtney Draper to join Shorecrest as new Physical Education Instructor and Head Volleyball Coach

Shorecrest Athletics named Courtney Draper as new Head Volleyball Coach starting the 2020-2021 season. Coach Draper will also join the Shorecrest faculty as a Middle School Physical Education instructor. 

Courtney Draper spent the last eight volleyball seasons as the Head Volleyball Coach for the University of South Florida. During her time with the Bulls, she mentored 11 All Conference/All Region Players, including one Conference Player of the Year. The 2018 season was the best in Draper’s tenure at USF. The Bulls finished 20-12, the most wins since 2002. The team earned a spot in the National Collegiate Volleyball Championship (NIVC), the first postseason appearance since 2002. 

“We feel very fortunate to have a coach the caliber of Coach Draper. She brings with her a track record of success with many postseason appearances including multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Coach Draper comes highly regarded by every organization she has been associated with. We know she will be the best fit to lead our volleyball program into the future,” said Anthony McCall, Shorecrest Athletic Director.

An outstanding defensive specialist during her playing days, Courtney played four seasons at Florida State. Draper (formerly Dipert) helped lead the Seminoles to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and an Atlantic Coast Conference championship in 1998. During her senior year, Courtney was a team captain and the recipient of the Golden Nole, awarded to the team's most valuable player.

After graduation, Draper served as an assistant coach at FSU and Duke before receiving her first head coaching position at Jacksonville University in 2003. At the age of 25, she was the youngest head coach in NCAA volleyball. In the spring of 2004, she accepted a position at Eckerd College as head coach and assistant athletics director. While at Eckerd, Draper led the Tritons to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006 after producing a 21-14 record. She followed that accomplishment up by guiding Eckerd to four more NCAA Tournament berths in 2007, 2008, 2009 (second round), and 2011 (third round).She mentored the school's first ever All-American honorees, produced 18 all-conference players and coached 44 Commissioner's Honor Roll student-athletes.

"We like to win in the classroom and on the court, and we are happy to have Coach Draper, a leader who understands this important goal," said McCall. "Throughout her career, she has delivered academic and athletic success at schools with high standards of accomplishment, and we know she will do the same for our students and student-athletes at Shorecrest."

Courtney and her husband, Mark, are the proud owners of St Pete Volleyball Club, which allows players from 9-18 years old to train and compete in USA Volleyball and AAU events. Currently in their eleventh season of competition, they have enjoyed much success, including a 2019 National Championship for their 15 & Under squad.

Courtney earned a bachelor's degree in sports management in 2000, and completed her master's degree in sports administration at Florida State in 2001. She and her husband, Mark, reside in St. Petersburg with their daughter, Logan, and son, Jack.

We welcome Courtney and her family to the Shorecrest community!