Longtime coach steps down as girls’ coach; will remain as boys’ coach

Mike Vogel, who guided Hempfield’s girls’ volleyball program to a pair of state championships, has resigned his post as the Black Knights’ girls’ coach.

Girls’ volleyball in the Lancaster-Lebanon League is played in the fall.

He will remain as the program’s boys’ volleyball coach. Boys’ volleyball in the L-L League is played in the spring.

Vogel, who took over Hempfield’s girls’ program in 1993, led the Knights to state titles in 2004 and 2006. Hempfield also won seven District 3 titles and seven L-L League championships under his watch, and the Knights were the state runners-up in 2002.

Vogel cited work conflicts for his decision to walk away from the girls’ program.

“It was just time,” he said. “If I had the time to put in the effort, I’d definitely feel comfortable sticking around. But it’s not fair to the kids. So it’s time for someone else to come in and keep this thing going.”

Vogel said he was aware of two possible successors, but didn’t want to mention their names on the record.

“It’s been unreal and it was a fantastic ride,” Vogel said. “We’ve always had great kids and great parents. To take different kids year after year, and consistently do good things shows you that with hard work, good things can happen. And I’m proud of that. It makes me feel good, and it makes the kids feel good when they come back and see all those banners hanging on the wall.”