It's been an exceptional spring for Park University Athletics, including five programs reaching post-season competition at nationals. On Tuesday, May 6, the City of Parkville recognized the Pirates' competitive cheer, men's volleyball, and beach volleyball programs for representing Park and the Parkville community well at their respective NCA National Championships and NAIA National Championship Tournaments.

At the Parkville Board of Aldermen meeting, Mayor Katerndahl presented student-athletes and staff a certificate of recognition for their recent accomplishments.

The competitive cheer program defied the odds at the National Cheerleaders Association College Nationals in the Intermediate Small Coed NAIA division with a 3^rd place finish in the finals. Head Coach Madalyn Coffmann has been at the forefront of the rebuilding of the program, which last was active in the 2014-15 academic year.

Park's beach volleyball program was within the top five in the NAIA for the majority of the season and settled at No. 4 in the nation, entering the NAIA National Invitational Tournament. It was a program high in wins in the seventh year of the program's existence and the Pirates at 3-2 at the invitational fought their way into the semifinals for the first time in the program's fourth appearance at the invitational. In the semifinals, the Pirates fell to the No. 1 overall seeded Spirit of OUAZ, but the Pirates won their pool courtesy of an upset of OUAZ the day prior. Park also picked up a win against No. 7 Webber International University in the quarterfinal round, a team who has defeated Park at the same stage in 2022 and 2023.

Head Coach Michael Talamantes miraculously is able to tie it all together between beach volleyball and men's volleyball going on at the same time, and also led the Park men's volleyball team to a NAIA National Championship Pool Play appearance. In his career at Park, he has made it to the national stage 12 out of 14 seasons at the helm of the storied Park men's volleyball program. The Pirates in Cedar Rapids, Iowa were able to sweep in conference opponent Mount Mercy, but the eventual 2025 NAIA National Champions of The Master's University ended Park's run in pool play.  

Board of Aldermen Meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month at approximately 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room located on the first floor of City Hall. The public is invited to attend all regular Board meetings; if you would like to speak contact the City Clerk by noon on the day of the Board meeting.

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