Calvin University Associate Director of Athletics and head women's volleyball coach Dr. Amber Warners will be inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame this fall as part of the Class of 2026.
 
Warners is one of six honorees in the class thanks to her career as an athlete, coach and administrator in a career that dates back to 1986. The class of 2026 will be inducted in ceremonies at Van Andel Arena on Monday, Sept. 14, with ticket availability to be announced at a later date.
 
"I'm honored that the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame has recognized me, a Division III coach in women's volleyball at a Christian University, for excellence in coaching and nurturing young women," Warners said. "When I look at the other inductees and the people who have been inducted in the past, I am honored to be among them."
 
As a coach, Warners holds a career record of 705-120 and has the highest career winning percentage (.855) among all active NCAA III head women's volleyball coaches. At Calvin, Warners holds a 684-109 record (.863 winning percentage) and has led the Knights to three NCAA III National Championships (2010, 2013 and 2016). In 24 seasons, Warners has led the Knights to six NCAA III finals, eight NCAA III final fours, 10 NCAA III quarterfinals, and 16 NCAA III regional finals in 20 NCAA III Tournament appearances. Warners also coached the Knights to 14 MIAA regular season championships and 16 MIAA Tournament championships while holding a 294-22 record (.930 winning percentage) in conference matches.
 
The Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame induction is another in a long line of career accolades as a coach for Warners, who has been named the National Coach of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) four times (2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014) and is an eight-time AVCA Great Lakes Regional Coach of the Year (2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2022 and 2025). She has also coached seven AVCA Division III National Players of the Year and six College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-Americans of the Year.
 
Prior to taking over the Calvin women's volleyball program in 2002, Warners was the head coach of the Calvin softball program for eight seasons where she led the Knights to two NCAA III Tournament berths and was named Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year in 1997 while leading the Knights to the NCAA III Softball World Series. She also served as the interim head women's volleyball coach at Hope College in 1994, recording a 21-11 record.
 
"For all the wins and championships Calvin volleyball has amassed during my tenure, I am most proud of the women who have gone through Calvin volleyball careers," Warners said. "They are now businesswomen, financial advisors, engineers, nurses, teachers and stay-at-home moms. But I am most proud that I have had the privilege of helping them along their journey of becoming who God intended them to be."
 
As a student-athlete at Calvin, Warners received the Kay Tiemersma Award, which recognizes the varsity women's athlete who best exemplifies athletic ability, scholastic standing, character and leadership, in 1990. A two-sport athlete at Calvin in volleyball and softball, Warners was a member of six Calvin teams that captured MIAA Championships and six NCAA III Tournament bids (three in softball and three in volleyball). She was an outfielder on Calvin softball teams that finished fifth in the nation in 1989 and fourth in 1990. She also was a member of the Calvin volleyball team that finished second nationally in 1986. She was twice named the league's Most Valuable Player as a setter and was named to the All-MIAA first team three times.
 
"We are incredibly proud of Dr. Warners on her selection to the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame," Calvin Director of Athletics Dr. Jim Timmer said. "This recognition is exceptionally well deserved and is a testament to her outstanding accomplishments, unwavering commitment to excellence and the lasting impact she has made on countless student-athletes throughout her remarkable career. We are grateful to the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame for recognizing not only Coach Warners' extraordinary success on the court, but also the lives she has influenced through her leadership, mentorship and dedication to developing young people. She has represented Calvin University with tremendous integrity and has made all of Knight Nation proud."
 
Warners is part of a 2026 Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame class that also includes Mark Keeler, Drew Neitzel, Seykou Smith, Stacy Snider and the Kentwood Hockey & Skating Association Team.
 
"It's another incredible class that demonstrates achievement as athletes at the highest levels but also recognizes community involvement, coaching and media impact," said Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame Chairman Mark Kimball in announcing the class. "The Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame is excited to recognize and honor them."