Mike Puritz has a 35-year career at UCI, starting in 1976 as a coach for UCI Volleyball Summer Camp. In 1978 he was promoted to Associate Director of the Volleyball Camp and served in that position until August 1980, when he was hired as the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach. Over the course of his 16-year coaching career, highlights included the opportunity to mentor numerous Big West scholar-athletes, coach three National All Americans, All Big West team selections, as well as earning UCI Women’s Volleyball’s first NCAA appearance along with a National top 20 ranking. In January 1996, he transitioned to the Campus Recreation Department, eventually becoming the Associate Director of Campus Recreation, Programming and leading the opening of the Anteater Recreation Center (ARC) in January 2000. Puritz has served as Chair of the Staff Appreciation Committee and Chair of the Staff Assembly.