Nike Boys Volleyball Camp at Central State University

Anitra Brockman was named the Central State University head men's and women's volleyball coach in May of 2022.


"I am thankful and excited to coach at Central State University," said Brockman. " With the recent success of both the women’s and men’s volleyball programs, we have a great opportunity to maintain the momentum and compete for championships moving forward. We will continue to build on our success while recruiting talented student-athletes to Central State University.”


Brockman takes over for former CSU head coach Ray Lewis, who accepted a head coaching position at NCAA Div. I program Merrimack College. Lewis led CSU to the SIAC men’s tournament title and was named SIAC Women’s Coach of the Year.


CSU Director of Athletics Tara A. Owens discussed the vision of the program moving into the 2022-2023 season.


"Throughout her coaching career, Coach Brockman has demonstrated her abilities to develop and lead programs to success on and off the court," said Owens. "I want to acknowledge and thank Coach Lewis for taking our women's volleyball program to new heights while building our men's program into a champion in its first year. As we enter a new era with Coach Brockman, our student-athletes will continue to flourish on the court and in the classroom."


Brockman comes to CSU with experience as a successful high school coach in Ohio.


Brockman coached at Badin High School in Hamilton, Ohio for four seasons. In her four years as the head coach of the Badin boys’ program, she led her team to its first OHSBVA State Championship in 2022, Regional Championship and OHSBVA State Final Four appearance in 2021. She ended with an overall record of 54-17 as coach of the Badin boys’ program, which included a 26-2 overall mark in 2022.


Named the Badin girls’ head coach in March of 2021, Brockman’s team won back-to-back District 16 titles and advanced to its first appearance in the OHSAA Div. II Regional final last season. Her girls’ team finished with an overall record of 17-10.


While at Badin, Brockman also served as the Ohio High School Girls Volleyball Coaches Association President from 2018 to 2020 and the Ohio High School Boys Volleyball Association President from 2021 to 2022. Serving as president, Brockman played a key role in boys’ volleyball being officially sanctioned by the OHSAA last fall.


Prior to her success at Badin, Brockman coached the girls’ team at Summit Country Day in Cincinnati, Ohio. While at SCD, she compiled a coaching record of 33-15. Her first high school head coaching job was at Hamilton High School.


Brockman also has club coaching experience as the director of the Epic Volleyball Club, Ohio Premier Volleyball Club, Cincinnati Volleyball Academy and Cincinnati Attack Volleyball Club.


"As I say to all our coaches, we want to win, and we want to win national championships. Coach Brockman is a proven winner, and we are pleased to welcome her to Central State University," CSU President Jack Thomas said. "We are dedicated to building winning athletic programs while providing a quality collegiate experience for our student-athletes. I look forward to working with Coach Brockman as we strive to win championships while continuing to build a team of phenomenal student-athletes. Our University is on the rise, and we believe Coach Brockman is an innovative and strategic leader who can build on the recent success we have had under the previous leadership of Coach Lewis.”


Among her accomplishments as a coach, Brockman has earned the 2020 AVCA Diversity Award, USA Volleyball’s Robert L. Lindsey Meritorious Service Award, Greater Catholic League Coed Coach of the Year, OHSBVA Regional Coach of the Year, OHSBVA Coach of the Year, and the Ohio Valley Volleyball Officials Association Coaching Service Award. In addition, Brockman was listed in the Cincinnati Enquirer’s People to Watch List in 2022.


Brockman has three children, including her son Jordan who she has coached while at Badin. She attended McAuley High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. She earned her undergraduate and master’s degree in Human Resources from American InterContinental University. She is a doctoral candidate and completing her EdD in sports and athletic management at National University with a graduation date of 2023.