In an election year, there is no better option for President than Doug Beal! He’s not a Democrat, not a Republican, nor Independent. He’s just Doug. I’m sure he has the wit and capacity to do a better job than most politicians, but the world is better off to keep him in volleyball. Doug Beal, CEO of USA Volleyball, is running for President of the FIVB.

Doug’s launched a website for his race to FIVB President: DougBeal.org The only problem I see with his campaign is a wicked good campaign slogan, so I’ve decided to come up with a few of my own: Continue Reading

Had a great day playing volleyball at Renaissance Park in Charlotte, but we need more courts! 10 courts were full the entire day. 5 courts of juniors playing doubles and sixes, and 5 courts of adult co-ed playing an assortment of volley. We actually left early because we gave up our court to let others play. We would have played more when other friends showed up, but the courts were still full. Continue Reading

NOT FAIR!

What are you doing today?

Just a little reminder of how lucky we are to have these great guys on our side and how great our sport is to bring us together. Thanks to John Kessel of USA Volleyball for not just the picture, but continuing to provide opportunities to help share and grow the game. Check out his latest blog post here: http://usavolleyball.org/blogs/growing-the-game-together-blog/posts/3639-coaching-by-fear Continue Reading

A monumental day for NCAA Volleyball and volleyball in the USA. The first ever NCAA Women’s Sand Championship was held today in Gulf Shores, AL, yes Alabama. ”The Hawaii people and the California people were like, `Are you kidding? We’re going to Alabama to play beach volleyball?”’ said Kathy DeBoer, the Executive Director of the American Volleyball Coaches Association, which is running the event. “But this is an absolute hidden gem.’ I guess it took the USA Volleyball Teams, four Olympic Gold Medals, for the US to wake-up and recognize the great sport of volleyball. It’s only one of the most popular events of the Olympic Summer Games and across the world. As a great French player, Winthrop Volunteer Assistant Coach and friend of mine, Francois “Frenchy” Hertwig, posted on my Facebook status, “It’s about time.” Pepperdine won the first ever NCAA Team Championship Trophy as well as the Doubles Trophy. Continue Reading

This pic came through my feed and became my little picture of the day.

My father was diagnosed with adult onset diabetes in his mid-forties. It is my belief that he came across the disease because of poor diet and lack of exercise. It’s what got me into my nutrition and exercise kick. Continue Reading

Such an interesting day.

Pat Summitt steps down from coaching,

Continue Reading

The AVP is Back! This is exciting news for Beach Volleyball, not only because the AVP brand is so well known, but because Donald Sun is a beach volleyball enthusiast and has a real passion for our game. The best quote of this release: “I also respect the activities and accomplishments of the current leagues. My goal is to work together in some way to unify beach volleyball in America.” The NVL, USA Beach, the Corona Wide Open, and EVP have done a great job in keeping the outdoor game alive and moving forward the past year. 2012 and beyond looks even brighter for beach volleyball… Continue Reading

Part of the purpose of this website is to provide unbiased information on volleyball. I’ve had an opportunity to use a number of different statistical programs and each has its pros and cons. There is no perfect statistical system out there, but I don’t think there will ever be a perfect statistical software because each coach has different wants and needs. Just as different players fit a coach’s style better, so does a statistical system. Continue Reading

As much as I appreciate Dr. Doug Beal’s effort and tremendous job he does for USA Volleyball, I believe his involvement as FIVB President will only help grow volleyball in the U.S. I especially believe this could lead to a true FIVB Beach Tour stop in the U.S., particularly Manhattan Beach, that would really help the game, similar to that of golf and tennis with the Masters and U.S. Open. Continue Reading

PlayOn! Sports may become the ESPN of High School Sports. I must admit this is pretty sweet, and I  assume as technology continues to advance, there will be more of these types of networks. I am curious of the video quality as the games and matches are played. This will not only help the exposure of volleyball and have people realize how popular a sport volleyball is across the country. It is also a great opportunity to recruit for college coaches. Continue Reading

With the New Year here, I wanted to express one of my New Year’s Resolutions.  I probably should be working on CoachRey.org website, but I learned that I had to delete all the work put in last week and reinstall, so I’m a little discouraged at the moment.  My mind is wandering… Continue Reading

As the holiday season falls upon us, it provides time to reflect on the year and be thankful.  This year, like every year, was its own mini-roller coaster, personally and professionally.  A family member and friend both battled potentially life-threatening diseases and both have fully recovered.  It makes us realize how fragile life is and we have a better appreciation for family and friends.  Continue Reading

Anyone that is everyone with volleyball in the United States is here at the AVCA Convention.  I had a great time presenting to the AVCA Convention First Time Attendees.  Presenting for the second time gave me a great opportunity to provide better advice for this year’s AVCA Class and it was much easier on the nerves.  Following the presentation, Brian Swenty, Kyrsten Becker, and Mary Leventis did a great job with the post First Time Attendees reception.  Bravo to them. Continue Reading

Five years ago, I attended my first AVCA Convention in Sacramento, CA.  I was excited and anxious, but I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect.  I, along with 3 First Time Attendees from the 2010 AVCA Class, Brian Swenty, Kyrsten Becker, and Mary Leventis, are here to guide you through one of the greatest volleyball experiences you will attend, the 2011 AVCA Convention in San Antonio, TX! Continue Reading

Updated NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship Schedule
(click image for larger view)

2011 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Bracket

(Click for Pdf: 2011-ncaa-volleyball-bracket-women)

The Top 35 U.S. Players of All Time

Volleyball Magazine just came out with the Top 35 U.S. Players of All Time.  I appreciate the list to bring these great players to light and recognition to the history of our game.  I’m not sure if I agree with the order (especially Gene Selznick), but that’s half the fun of a list.  How many of these great players do you know and recognize?  I believe it is extremely important for the continued growth of our sport in the United States to know (and want to play like) these players. Continue Reading

I used to enjoy using the internet. I enjoyed surfing Google, starting on a webpage about volleyball and end up on a webpage learning about a rare African tree. I don’t know how or why I got there through Google, but I was learning abstract things and it was fun. A form of entertainment to me. I used to enjoy adding pictures to facebook to share with friends. Our interactions and friendly banter kept us together while we live thousands of miles apart. I enjoyed when it was the true world wide web and I could surf without webpages tailored to my perceived likes and dislikes. I never had issues with companies making money through advertising online, but the continued collection of ME, the vast unknown database of information collected about ME and my preferences feels as if it is a growing invasion of privacy. I don’t like it. Continue Reading

I must admit, I’m not the least bit concerned about the NBA Lockout or the potential of the WNBA not having a season because of the NBA Lockout. In fact, I kind of like it. I was at a local restaurant and there were 4 televisions showing of volleyball. Duke vs North Carolina, USC vs Florida, Michigan vs Michigan State, and the USA in the Pan American games.

Wednesday night is volleyball night. ESPNU, Fox Sports Net, and the Big Ten Network (among other local stations) do a great job broadcasting matches. We as volleyball proponents need to support. Declare Wednesday Night Volleyball (just like Monday Night Football) and take over a local restaurant or sports bar. You will be amazed at how many people actually watch volleyball, know about volleyball, and ask questions as the match progresses. At Winthrop, our staff takes over a local establishment to enjoy some great volleyball on television.

As the season winds down, the volleyball only gets better. Many conferences will have their championships and then the NCAA Tournament. Better volleyball will attract better crowds. Its our duty to continue to spread the volleyball love.

Here is the remaining television schedule:

ESPNU
Sun, Nov 20 4 p.m. BIG EAST championship ESPNU HD
Sun, Nov 20 10:30 p.m. SWAC championship (tape delay) ESPNU HD
Wed, Nov 23 9 p.m. WAC championship ESPNU HD

Fox Sports Net (Pac 12 Network)
Fri., Nov. 4 Oregon State at Arizona 7 p.m. PT
Fri., Nov. 11 Stanford at Washington 7 p.m. PT
Fri./Sat., Nov. 18/19 Wildcard Selection* 7 p.m. (Local Time)
Fri., Nov. 25 California at Stanford 7 p.m. PT

Big Ten Network
Fri., 11/4: PSU at Minnesota, 9 p.m.
Wed., 11/9: MSU at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Sat., 11/12: Iowa at Indiana, 7 p.m. (Delay – Sun., 11/13 – TBD)
Sun., 11/20: Indiana at OSU, 2 p.m. (TBD)

The National cryBaby Association, NBA, continues it’s lockout and basketball continues to lose fans and participants.  What is going to happen when volleyball becomes more popular than basketball?  Impossible?  Not impossible.  In high schools the numbers prove the trend.  Every year Girls Volleyball continues to close the gap on having more participants than Boys Basketball.  Let me repeat that…Girls Volleyball will be more popular than Boys Basketball.  The 2010 – 2011 report published by The National Federation of High School Associations shows 545,844 boys high school basketball players and 409,332 girls high school volleyball players.  Girls volleyball participants are growing at a much faster rate than boys basketball. Continue Reading

BP showed a $22 Billion turn-around from one year ago and a $5.3 Billion earning in the second quarter alone (CNN report).  Nice job America, but then again, do Americans really care?  Last June, I said it was a Great Time to Buy BP Stock and if you listened, you would have about doubled your money in a year.  But who am I?  I should be a Goldman Sachs executive stealing money from your pocket.  Instead, I’m just a lowly volleyball coach.  What could I possibly know about business and the stock market?  I did spend 10 years in the business world and was president of a multi-million dollar corporation.  That made me a lot funnier and better looking at the time.  I must have been smarter then too. Continue Reading

Been a little MIA this time of year as I’ve been hibernating from the blazing weather and crazy storms because it’s that volleyball camp time of year.  Camp immediately following Junior Nationals in Atlanta certainly benefited the Winthrop program as many player drove-up from Atlanta to participate.  But I do have empathy for these players as it again seems they’ve been playing non-stop.  Continue Reading