Benjamin Thies
Coaching Bio:
	the 2026 club season will be my 4th year coaching at Northern Lights
	spent 11 seasons coaching at MN Select (teams ranging from 15s to 18s)
	coached a year at each Roseville JOs and (now defunct) Nicollet Island Volleyball Club prior to Select
	coached 5 seasons at DeLaSalle High School (2007-2011 seasons)
Playing Bio:
	various adult leagues, both traveling and local, throughout the metro area ranging from sand 2s tournaments to court 6s and everything inbetween
Education:
	Masters in Education from the University of Minnesota
	Undergraduate degrees in Spanish and Communications from the University of Minnesota
	Grew up in Norfolk, NE and graduated high school with 49 people in my class
Personal Bio:
	My day job is teaching. Currently in my 16th year and am currently a 2nd Grade teacher, after spending 10 years in kindergarten, in ISD 196 (Rosemount - Apple Valley - Eagan), but have taught in Richfield, Burnsville, and Shakopee before landing in 196
	Live in Apple Valley with my husband, who is also named Ben
	Have a basset hound named Keith - I will gladly show pictures to whomever requests!
	Officiate both high school and collegiate volleyball during the Fall (took Fall 2025 off and got to watch a lot of former athletes instead of whistling for their matches)
	LOVE to travel and run. I’ve decided when I run marathons, they will be international. I’ve run 7 - Twin Cities x4, Philadelphia, Paris, and Rome
	Know all the words to “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and can clap with one hand
Favorite Volleyball Moment:
	Being able to coach a core group of athletes for 3 seasons, from their 16-1s COVID season through their 18-1s season! Finishing 5th with the group in 17-Open at USAV Nationals will be unforgettable! This past season was a pretty special one, too - our team finished on the podium at BOTH AAUs and GJNC!
For more information call Northern Lights Juniors at 952-808-0110 or email [email protected].