LA MIRADA, Calif. — On a crisp November evening, Chase Gymnasium filled with familiar faces as the Biola Volleyball community gathered to honor the remarkable career of coach Aaron Seltzer during last week's home match vs. Vanguard.
Students, staff, faculty, family, fans, and dozens of Biola Volleyball alumni showed up to celebrate the man who shaped transformational experiences for so many over his 24 years at Biola University.
Seltzer led the program from 2002–23, becoming the winningest coach in its 57-year history with a career record of 540–181. Over the past two seasons, he has served as assistant coach in support of his successor, Brian Failinger. With 2025 marking his final year on staff, the evening carried a blend of joy, gratitude, and bittersweet reflection.
"It was super fun. It was great," Seltzer said. "I am super thankful. I have no negative thing to say at all about this place. We have had some fantastic players, but better people and wonderful families."
Biola delivered a fitting tribute on the court with a 3-1 victory over long-time rival Vanguard, improving Seltzer's career mark vs. the Lions to 29-7 and pushing Biola to 11-2 at home in 2025 — reminiscent of the 207-54 home record his teams posted during his 22 seasons at the helm.
But the night was about far more than the final score. A hallmark of Seltzer's leadership has long been keeping priorities in order: faith, family, academics, and then volleyball. With alumni and their young families scattered across Chase Gym, it was clear his message endured.
"Coach Aaron has seriously changed my life by bringing me to Biola," said junior Hannah Guzzetti. "He has brought me closer to Jesus, and he is such a sacrificial person. I love him and will miss him."
Senior nights under Seltzer were always special—seniors seated on the floor facing the crowd, honored individually through stories, gratitude, and prayer. In that spirit, Seltzer and his wife, Jen, took their place in front of the gathered Biola family as alumni, friends, and colleagues reflected on the lasting impact of the entire Seltzer family.
"Aaron, it was a joy and an honor to get to work with you these last six years," said Failinger. "The amount you have poured into me has impacted my life far deeper than you can understand."
"It is a legacy of faithfulness," added alumna and former assistant coach Grace Teague. "Both of you have poured so much into this program."
The postgame reflections were filled with smiles, tears, stories, and familiar inside jokes. Seltzer's best friend and Azusa Pacific head coach, Chris Keife, closed the tribute before Seltzer stepped forward to thank the crowd — and fittingly close in prayer.
He kept his sense of humor too, joking about longtime men's basketball coach and former AD Dr. Dave Holmquist's 46 years of service.
"In his interview, after about five minutes, I knew he was the guy we wanted," Holmquist said. "He's handled every situation well, recruited the right people, and treated them well. He's got great Christian character."
Seltzer's final match on the sideline came this past weekend, and in fitting fashion, Biola won in five sets — a comeback victory over his primary local rival for more than two decades, Concordia University Irvine.
It marks the end of an era that began when God led the Seltzer family to Biola. Aaron often recalls promising Jen they'd "try coaching for a year or two." Instead, the two poured 24 years into shaping 139 alumnae whose lives were changed because Aaron and Jen took that leap in 2002.
Seltzer was quick to honor Jen and his sons, Isaac and Elijah, for their sacrifices and support. Many alumnae echoed that gratitude, recalling the constant presence of the Seltzer family around Chase Gym.
Though his Biola chapter closes, he won't stray far from the court. Seltzer has been volunteering with his son Isaac's national-championship-winning men's volleyball team at The Master's University, where Isaac is an All-American eyeing another title run in Spring 2026.
Thank you, Aaron, for running the race with endurance.
Postgame Ceremony (11/8/2025)
