The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
In Memoriam: Glen Charles Lietzke
01.06.2026 | Volleyball
Former volleyball assistant coach passes after battle with leukemia
Glen Charles Lietzke passed away on December 25, 2025 after a private journey with leukemia for more than four years. He battled with the same fierce dedication and resolve that he brought to his career in volleyball. For more than four decades, Glen provided innovative leadership that helped grow and strengthen the volleyball community both within Texas and across the country.
Glen's contributions to volleyball began at the collegiate level. He coached at the University of Wisconsin at River Falls, Southwest Missouri State, and most significantly as an assistant coach at the University of Texas where they won the 1988 NCAA National Championship.
"Glen was one of the great pillars that built Texas Volleyball and gave it the rich tradition it has today," head coach Jerritt Elliott said. "He is a legend in the volleyball community and has been a catalyst to growing the game to what it is today. He will always be remembered as a legend and the entire volleyball community and all of Texas volleyball and athletics will miss him greatly."
During Glen's time in collegiate volleyball, he was inspired to build the game across all levels, and began to pour his time into the sport at the youth level. Glen created Austin Junior Volleyball, setting a standard of excellence that influenced clubs across the country. He coached two girls' national championship teams and created tournaments that prepared players to perform at the highest collegiate levels. Similarly, Glen was a tireless advocate for boys' volleyball at both the club and collegiate levels, most notably through his work with the First Point Volleyball Foundation and the creation of the First Point Collegiate Challenge, a men's NCAA volleyball showcase.
This pioneering vision was recognized by multiple organizations. Glen was awarded the George J. Fisher Leader in Volleyball in 1998, inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2018, and inducted into the 2022 Greater Austin Sports Foundation Hall of Honor. However, these awards mattered less to Glen than the people he worked with and for. His vision helped athletes and coaches believe in themselves, improving the game of volleyball by inspiring everyone to think bigger and do better.
For Glen, what was most important though, was his family.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy, and children, Nathan, Lauren; and beloved dogs, Moose and Stormi. Born on March 6, 1954 in Minneapolis, MN, Glen was preceded in death by his mother Lorraine Begin Lietzke and father Clarence Willard Lietzke. Glen is also survived by his brothers, Craig and Jim, and countless nieces and nephews.
The Lietzke family will hold a memorial service to celebrate Glen's exceptional life on Friday, January 2 at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel on St. Andrew's Episcopal School campus with a reception following at Highlander Hall. The Lietzkes request that those in attendance wear either navy blue, or their favorite AJV, LSC, or University of Texas attire to remember Glen's legacy of growing the game of volleyball and of creating lifelong friendships and opportunities.
In lieu of flowers, the Lietzke family asks that you consider donating to two organizations: JVAA Scholarship Fund or the MD Anderson Cancer Center (P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486), indicating Dr. Abbas Leukemia in memory of Glen Lietzke in the memo section of the check or donating online https://www.mdanderson.org/leukemiagiving..
