Head Coach Travis Hinkle of Fairmont State University joined Pinnacle Volleyball Education for a brief interview to talk about his program, the recruiting process, advice for parents, and a little bit about his own history with the game. Coach Hinkle will be joining us at PVE’s Elite Prospect Camp this summer as a court coach.

Pinnacle Volleyball Education (PVE): Can you share a little info about your school? Where is it located, what type of campus is it, and what are some of the things that attract students to your school?

Travis Hinkle: Fairmont State University is an NCAA Division II School located in Fairmont, West Virginia. Fairmont is located 15 minutes south of Morgantown, WV, and an hour and a half from Pittsburgh, PA. Fairmont State is a mid-size school of 3,500 students, and has over 80 majors, including Education, Business, Aviation, Engineering, Biology, and Communications.

PVE: Tell us a little bit about what you envision for your program? What is most important to you as a coach?

Hinkle: For our program at Fairmont State, I envision to grow in the recent successes that our team has had on an off the court. We want to continue to make the NCAA Tournament every year and compete for conference and regional championships. We also take academics very seriously and want to continue to earn the AVCA All-Academic Award each year.

PVE: Obviously each position is different, but what are some of the academic, athletic, and/or personality traits that you look for when you recruit a player?

Hinkle: For a player, I’m looking for student-athletes that have a team-first mentality. They are focused and want to grow with their team, and have a competitive drive to be great. I want students that are academically strong, focused, and willing to challenge themselves. I don’t only recruit the student athletes, but the families.

PVE: Tell me a little bit about what your timeline is in the recruiting process. When do you try and identify players, begin communication, have visits, get commitments, etc...

Hinkle: I usually begin the active recruiting process for a student-athlete in the summer before their Junior Year of High School. I will start looking at players before then, and as soon as June 15th hits, I start contacting student-athletes and actively beginning conversation. I would love for the student athletes to come visit in early Fall, and possibly have the chance to watch our team play, and see if it’s a good fit. I like to have the offers out in the Spring or Summer before their senior year of High School, that way they can enjoy their senior year with no worries about what college they are attending, and also for myself to concentrate on my current team and the season they are in.

PVE: What is your preferred method of communication when it comes to recruiting?

Hinkle: To me the campus visit is the most important part, but as an introduction, an email or text, followed up by a phone call is super important. Seeing how a prospective student-athlete communicates could be a thumbs up or a red flag for the future.

PVE: What advice do you have for prospective student-athletes and their parents when they go on a college visit?

Hinkle: My advice for prospective student-athletes when going on a visit is just to be you. Don’t try to be anything you aren’t. When you go on a visit, consider the whole picture — Do they have my major? Will they get me on the right track after I graduate? Can I see myself here for four years? Do I like the campus and the area?

For parents - Definitely make sure to get your questions answered, but if your daughter is asked a question, let them answer first, then feel free to follow up afterwards. I know that it’s a family decision to choose the perfect fit, but she is the one that’s going to be the student.

PVE: If you had to give prospective student-athletes and their parents one piece of advice as they start their college search, what would it be?

Hinkle: Enjoy the process. This is an exciting time—make sure that it a huge decision and make sure you have fun with it. Go on visits, ask questions, and make sure that all your boxes are checked. Do they have my major, am I comfortable with the location, does the program have an opening for my positions, would I get with the team, and so on.

PVE: What kind of financial aid is available at your school?

Hinkle: At Fairmont State we offer athletic and academic scholarships, with other scholarship and grant programs available. With it being a public institution, there are very affordable options.

PVE: Freshman year can be difficult for a lot of student-athletes. What recommendations or advice do you have for incoming freshmen and their parents?

Hinkle: For students - meet people outside your team, and find a group that you can fall back on. It’s great to have those teammates you consider family, but enjoy your college experience and step outside your comfort zone.

For parents - let your kids grow. Call your children every few days, text every day, but let them do their thing. It’s such an exciting time in both of your lives, and being involved is super important, but remember they are adults and it’s going to be okay.  When they need you, you’ll know and they will let you know.

PVE: What is your most memorable volleyball experience as a player or coach?

Hinkle: My most memorable moment was this past year when our team had our named called on Selection Sunday and found out we made the NCAA Division II National Tournament. It was the icing on a cake for the great year of breaking records and growing together as a team.

PVE: What led you to a career coaching volleyball?

Hinkle: I helped out with my high school volleyball team, then it grew to college being a student assistant, to being a graduate assistant, to an assistant coach, to being a head coach. I actually stepped away for a few years, and I felt like I was missing a big part of me, that’s when I knew it was what I wanted to do. I will be going in my sixth season as a head coach and my 14th season in the college ranks overall.

PVE: What's one thing you wish everyone knew about your school or program?

Hinkle: In 2022, our program broke the school record for Highest Winning Percentage in school history with a 29-6 overall record.

PVE: This question is for the parents of PSA's. What advice would you give parents when it comes to helping their child navigate the recruiting process?

Hinkle: Be active in the recruiting process, this is a family decision. If you have a question, ask it. If you have a concern, address it.

PVE: This one is also for the parents. What advice would you give to parents when their child gets to college and they go from being a team leader in HS and a regular or key contributor in club to maybe not earning a whole lot of playing time right away? How can parents help their child get through that time stronger?

Hinkle: Just because they aren’t a starter or in the rotation right away, doesn’t mean there isn’t hope for them to contribute. Keep working hard, and they will get a chance, and when they get a chance, to make the most of it. Sometimes they have to get caught up with the new speed of the game, the size of the players, or the flow of the game. Your time will come to get an opportunity. It might be the next day, next week, next month, next season, or the season after that. Just keep giving it all and be a great teammate.

Many thanks to Coach Hinkle for taking the time to speak with us today. Coach Hinkle will be joining us at PVE’s Elite Prospect Camp this summer as a court coach.