Temple University Athletics
Akiko Hatakeyama
Temple Volleyball Alum Akiko Hatakeyama Returns as an Assistant Coach
12.9.11 | Women's Volleyball
PHILADELPHIA – Akiko Hatakeyama, a 1999 graduate of Temple and the volleyball program, now returns to serve as the assistant coach for the Owls under second-year head coach Bakeer Ganes. Hatakeyama helped lead Temple to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 1997 after also going undefeated in Atlantic 10 play that season.
“I'm thrilled to welcome Akiko on board,” said Ganes. “We filled this position with the best candidate we could have gotten. Akiko is going to help this program with her experience of being a student-athlete here at Temple and also with her professional playing experience overseas. I'm very excited that our student-athletes can learn from such an experienced professional.”
Since graduating from Temple more than 10 years ago, Hatakeyama has been playing professionally, primarily overseas, while also spending time coaching club teams and at summer camps. Her playing career has taken her an impressive list of countries including Romania, Germany, Azerbaijan, Croatia, France, Spain, Austria, Holland, Switzerland, Portugal and Greece.
“I'm very excited to be back at Temple again,” said Hatakeyama. “I think we are headed in the right direction and I'm looking forward to the great future ahead of us.”
From 2000-2002 Hatakeyama competed in the United States Professional Volleyball League (USPV), and led her Grand Force Rapids team to a third-place finish in 2002.
Hatakeyama has earned certification as a FIVB Level 1 International Coach, and since her Temple career she has coached at the summer camps of former Temple coach Bob Bertucci. She also coached a club team in Switzerland from 2004-05, and a club in Holland from 2003-04. In 1999, Hatakeyama interned with the USA Volleyball National Team where she assisted in practices for the Women's National team, World University Game Team, A2 team, Women's Junior National Team, and Women's Youth National Team.
After beginning her collegiate years at Kaetsu Women's Junior College in Tokyo, Hatakeyama spent one season playing at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1996 before transferring to Temple for her final two seasons.
Among other honors, Hatakeyama was named AVCA All-District during her career as an Owl, and she served as a student assistant coach for the 1998-99 season and Atlantic 10 champion Owls before graduating from Temple with a degree in sports and recreation management.
“I'm thrilled to welcome Akiko on board,” said Ganes. “We filled this position with the best candidate we could have gotten. Akiko is going to help this program with her experience of being a student-athlete here at Temple and also with her professional playing experience overseas. I'm very excited that our student-athletes can learn from such an experienced professional.”
Since graduating from Temple more than 10 years ago, Hatakeyama has been playing professionally, primarily overseas, while also spending time coaching club teams and at summer camps. Her playing career has taken her an impressive list of countries including Romania, Germany, Azerbaijan, Croatia, France, Spain, Austria, Holland, Switzerland, Portugal and Greece.
“I'm very excited to be back at Temple again,” said Hatakeyama. “I think we are headed in the right direction and I'm looking forward to the great future ahead of us.”
From 2000-2002 Hatakeyama competed in the United States Professional Volleyball League (USPV), and led her Grand Force Rapids team to a third-place finish in 2002.
Hatakeyama has earned certification as a FIVB Level 1 International Coach, and since her Temple career she has coached at the summer camps of former Temple coach Bob Bertucci. She also coached a club team in Switzerland from 2004-05, and a club in Holland from 2003-04. In 1999, Hatakeyama interned with the USA Volleyball National Team where she assisted in practices for the Women's National team, World University Game Team, A2 team, Women's Junior National Team, and Women's Youth National Team.
After beginning her collegiate years at Kaetsu Women's Junior College in Tokyo, Hatakeyama spent one season playing at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1996 before transferring to Temple for her final two seasons.
Among other honors, Hatakeyama was named AVCA All-District during her career as an Owl, and she served as a student assistant coach for the 1998-99 season and Atlantic 10 champion Owls before graduating from Temple with a degree in sports and recreation management.
Temple Men's Basketball 2025-26 All Access | Game 12 at Davidson 12.18.2025
Sunday, December 21
Ep. 29: Last Episode of First Semester from David & Amelia
Wednesday, December 17
MBB Press Conference vs. Saint Francis (Adam Fisher)
Sunday, December 14
MBB Press Conference vs. Saint Francis (Derrian Ford & Gavin Griffiths)
Sunday, December 14
