Meghan Lucas stands as a testament to dedication and passion in the world of volleyball coaching. With an impressive career spanning over 27 years, Meghan’s journey is deeply rooted in her own experiences as a player and her unwavering commitment to her student-athletes. A graduate of Kiski Area High School, she pursued her academic aspirations at Clarion University, earning both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Elementary Education and Curriculum and Instruction. Her time at Clarion was also marked by her significant contribution to the women’s volleyball team as a four-year starter, setting the stage for her future coaching endeavors.
Immediately after graduating in 1995, Meghan returned to her alma mater, Kiski Area, to teach and take on the role of head volleyball coach. This marked the beginning of a long and impactful coaching career. Even after moving to Butler and starting a family with her husband, Dr. Craig Lucas, Meghan’s dedication to volleyball remained steadfast. While taking a break from teaching to raise their children, she continued to coach, demonstrating her passion for the sport and for mentoring young athletes. In 2001, she transitioned to coaching for the Butler Middle School boys team, eventually stepping up to lead the Girls’ Varsity team.
Meghan’s involvement with club volleyball has been continuous since her playing days. She has coached for several prominent clubs, including Golden Triangle, TVC, P3R, Renaissance, and most recently, Revolution Volleyball Club. Her club coaching experience is highlighted by numerous trips to Nationals across the country with teams in various age divisions, showcasing her ability to develop talent at all levels.
Her contributions to volleyball have been widely recognized. In 2013, Meghan was honored with induction into the Kiski Area Sports Hall of Fame, a testament to her lasting impact on the local sports community. Further recognition came in 2016 when she was named Coach of the Year for section 1. In 2017, Meghan achieved a significant milestone by leading her team to the playoffs for the first time in ten years in the highly competitive AAAA section 1. She repeated this success in the past season, again guiding her team to the playoffs.
Currently, Meghan is a fourth-grade teacher at Broad St. Elementary School, balancing her teaching career with her continued coaching and active involvement in various community service organizations. She is also a sought-after clinician for numerous camps and clinics, further extending her influence on aspiring volleyball players. Amidst her busy schedule, Meghan cherishes watching her own children compete. Her family includes Isaiah (23), Maria (22), a senior volleyball player at Slippery Rock University, Gabrielle (21), a junior volleyball player at Grove City College, Sophia (19), a sophomore volleyball player at Clarion University, and Sarah (16), a sophomore volleyball player, jav thrower, and cello enthusiast at Butler High School. Meghan and her husband, Craig, reside in Butler, PA.
When asked about the best advice she has received over her years of coaching, Meghan reflects not on a single quote, but on the collective wisdom of her mentors. She expresses gratitude for the numerous individuals who have shaped her coaching philosophy, including Greg Foreman, Sheron Watson, Rick Schall, Ellen Toy, Jodi Burns, Laurie Lokash, Bob, Heidi, Brian Miller, Rick Watkins, and Mike Hogan. From each of these mentors, she has gleaned valuable “nuggets of good” that have guided her nearly 30-year coaching journey.
Central to Meghan’s coaching and life philosophy is her motto: “Work hard and good things will happen.” This mantra is not just a saying; it’s a principle she lives by, teaches, and instills in her students and players. Displayed prominently in her classroom, this motto emphasizes the importance of dedication and perseverance. Meghan believes that while success may not always be immediate, consistent hard work inevitably leads to positive outcomes, whether in a day, a week, a year, or many years.
Meghan’s connection to We Serve First is deeply personal, stemming from her relationships with the Vick and Toy families. Jaime and Jodie Vick were both former players under Meghan’s tutelage during her coaching tenure at Kiski. Tim and Ellen Toy’s son, Mason, was a former 4th-grade student of Meghan and Dorothy Toncini at Vandergrift Elementary. Her association with Tim Toy extends back to her early coaching days at Kiski through his business, Tees and Tops. Meghan holds Ellen Toy in high regard, recognizing her not only as an exceptional coach but also as a person of grace, determination, and humility. Meghan proudly supports Tim’s efforts and the growth of the We Serve First Foundation, actively assisting in identifying scholarship recipients through her club coaching network. Meghan Lucas embodies the spirit of “serve first” not only through her dedication to volleyball but also through her commitment to community and mentorship, making her a true inspiration both on and off the court.
