Kim Buford named head volleyball coach at Ben Franklin

Benjamin Franklin High School announced Kim Buford as its new head volleyball coach.

Buford replaces former Ben Franklin coach Jodee Pulizzano, who parted ways with the school after 32 seasons.

The East St. Louis, Illinois native comes to Franklin from Riverdale, where she coached the Rebels to seven playoff appearances. The Rebels went 21-17 this past season and reached the second round of the state playoffs. In Buford’s best season at Riverdale, her team reached the LHSAA quarterfinals.

Buford was a three-time SWAC Player of the Year at Grambling State. She has been a collegiate head coach at her alma mater (six years) and UNO (four years).

“This is a wonderful opportunity,” Buford told WGNO Sports. “I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running and making an impact on the game of volleyball at Ben Franklin.”