Photo via Miles Vance/The Oregonian

BEAVERTON, Oregon – Aloha High School football coach Bill Volk will lead the United States Under-16 National Team during the 2018 International Bowl Series in January. The annual weeklong event is comprised of practices and games of multiple countries’ top high school-aged student-athletes (U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18 and U-19) in international football’s premier amateur competition.

Prior to kickoff at Aloha’s home game against crosstown rival Beaverton on Sept. 22, USA Football will present Volk with a U.S. National Team helmet as its next U-16 head coach. In addition to Volk’s National Team coaching honor, Aloha will celebrate military appreciation night throughout Friday’s game.

"I’m extremely excited to lead the U-16 National Team and to have the opportunity to work with a talented group of young, committed athletes,” Volk said. “The U.S. National Team program has a rich history of success, and I look forward to proudly representing the United States.”

Volk was named coach at Aloha in 2013 after serving the program for 16 seasons, which included coordinator roles across special teams, offense and defense. Volk helped lead the Warriors to their first Class 6A state championship in 2010.

As a running back for Western Oregon University from 1992-95, Volk earned NAIA All-American honors and was inducted into the school’s hall of fame in 2007. He remains the university’s career rushing leader with 3,172 yards.

“Coach Volk is a tremendous addition to our National Team program, with years of quality experience as an educator and a coach,” said Aaron Ingram, USA Football senior manager of national teams. “He will represent our country well, and we are excited to have him work with top student-athletes from across the country at the International Bowl.”

The 2018 International Bowl location and game schedule, as well as player rosters and complete coaching staffs, will be announced in the coming months.

USA Football, a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, manages U.S. national teams for international play.

U.S. National Team head coach alumni include Gabe Infante (Philadelphia St. Joseph’s Prep), Chuck Kyle (Cleveland St. Ignatius), Chris Merritt (Miami Christopher Columbus), Jason Mohns (Scottsdale [Arizona] Saguaro) Kenny Sanchez (Las Vegas Bishop Gorman), Steve Specht (Cincinnati St. Xavier) and Tom Westerberg (Barbers Hill [Texas]).

U.S. National Team alumni include wide receiver Corey Coleman (Cleveland Browns), running back Todd Gurley (Los Angeles Rams), defensive back Tyrann Mathieu (Arizona Cardinals), offensive lineman Jack Mewhort (Indianapolis Colts), running back Samaje Perine (Washington Redskins), defensive end Stephon Tuitt (Pittsburgh Steelers) and quarterback Jameis Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers).

About USA Football: USA Football evolves and grows the sport through innovative standards and best practices to advance coach and player development, participation and safety within the fun of the game and its inherent values. As the sport’s national governing body and member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Football partners with leaders in medicine, child advocacy and athletics to support positive football experiences for youth, high school and other amateur players.