CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Parkland head volleyball coach Cliff Hastings had not idea he was about to hit the 800 career wins marks with the Cobras until after he reached that milestone on August 31.

The Paxton-Buckley-Loda graduate and hall of famer has racked up quite the resume, now in his 17th year with the Cobras.

Hastings guided the Cobras to back-to-back NJCAA national titles in 2015 and 2016, and another in 2021.

His teams have also finished as national runners-up five times (2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2020), and his Parkland teams have never missed playing in the national tournament since his arrival in 2009.

While he’s enjoyed the many wins, he also takes pride in helping his players grow as people.

“I think a lot of it is young women who don’t have their voice yet or their confidence or their path and just be a chapter in their lives,” Hastings said. “Watching them go from not knowing who they are or what they want, and finding that while they’re here and then watching them be great, whatever they do.”

After Wednesday night’s win over John Wood, he holds an 803-70 career record.