Ethan Grefsrud is in his first season as the volunteer assistant coach with the Badgers.
“I cannot wait to serve the program, learn the Badger way, and work with one of the best staff, players, and universities in the nation,” Grefsrud said. “Three years ago I was a summer camp coach seeing Wisconsin for the first time, now I'm excited to call it home!
“I would like to thank Kelly and his staff for allowing me this exciting once in a lifetime opportunity in welcoming me to their staff and becoming a Badger.”
Ethan Grefsrud joins the Badgers a volunteer assistant coach after serving an assistant coach at Minnesota State, Crookston.
Prior to Minnesota State, Crookston, Grefsrud served as a graduate assistant coach at Winona State, aiding the Warriors to one of their best seasons in program history as they advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Grefsrud was a part of back-to-back 20-win seasons at Winona State.
He helped Warriors setter McKenna Larsen to an AVCA honorable mention All-America nod, becoming the first Winona State player to ever earn the honor and only the second ever to earn All-America accolades. Larsen was also named AVCA All-Region. Larsen, along with Taylor Goar and Danielle Rampart were named All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference first-team honors. In addition, Jamie Cairncross and Lauren Kudronowicz were named to the All-NSIC Second Team. In 2016, the Warriors finished the season with a No. 4 national ranking in the AVCA poll.
His key responsibilities with the Warriors were coordinating travel plans, scouting, recruiting, game day operations, assisting the head coach and practice planning. In addition, he served as summer volleyball camp director at Winona State.
Grefsrud also served as a volunteer assistant coach at North Dakota State from 2013-14.
Grefsrud was a decorated men’s club volleyball player at North Dakota State, receiving All-American honors along with helping the Bison to the 2010 National Collegiate Volleyball Federation Championship. He was also an all-conference libero in the Northern Intercollegiate Volleyball Conference two years in a row.
He has worked the Badger summer camps the last three seasons as well as other camps in the Midwest. Grefsrud has also gained experience working with various club programs, including Assassins Beach Volleyball Club, Shanley Deacons Volleyball Club, and Summit Juniors.
A native of Hawley, Minnesota, Grefsrud earned his undergraduate degree in sports and recreation leadership at North Dakota State. He earned his master of sports management from Winona State in May 2017.
