“I get by with a little help from my friends.”

Way back in the day, I was fortunate enough to play volleyball on Arizona State’s dime. Well, sort of. With just only 21 true Division I men’s teams across the country and a handful of Division II & III teams that compete against Division I teams, men’s club volleyball is THE WAY most men get to continue to play in college.

The National Collegiate Volleyball Foundation (NCVF) hosts over a hundred men’s club teams throughout the country and boasts a highly competitive National Championship. With much fund-raising at Arizona State, and a bit of begging of parents to open their wallets, we were fortunate to play National Championships in Buffalo, NY; Austin, TX; and hosted the tournament one year at Arizona State. There were multiple trips to California to get beat up by some PAC-10 teams and other great tournaments across the state too. We did hold our own against many of the teams and we were fortunate to have Jeff Nelson, current University of New Mexico Women’s Head Coach, pave the way for us.

Paying it forward is how this great game continues to grow. There are more true Division I, II, & III sponsored volleyball programs across the country, but until more schools add men’s volleyball, club volleyball is the way most guys get to play.

I pay it forward by coaching some great men’s teams. I did at Georgia Southern University and now at Miami University. Both teams have a great group of guys and need to fund-raise their way to tournaments and the NCVF National Championship in Reno, NV.

I’m not too bashful to ask if you would be willing to support these guys at: I Give for Love and Honor Their goal is to raise $5,000. Please help them out!

No matter what obstacles, adversities, or distractions might stand in their way, compelled people are going to find a way.  They won’t rest until they get the job done.  They prepare, train, and compete at the highest level.  This means they never go through the motions or skip workouts, they eat well and get the proper rest, and they take advantage of every opportunity to get better.  Compelled people not only have high expectations of themselves, but of their teammates, too.  They hold themselves and their teammates to a higher standard.

New York City is preparing for an attack.  An American General fortifies Long Island and Manhattan with 20,000 soldiers.  On August 27th the enemy attacks and unfortunately, the onslaught from the enemy defeated the Americans and pushed them back to Brooklyn Heights.  From Brooklyn Heights, the Americans were again over-powered and forced to retreat across the East River completely into Manhattan.  Yet again, the enemy pushed the Americans north to Harlem Heights.  Defeated again, the Americans were forced to White Plaines and then to Fort Washington.  At Fort Washington, the Americans made a valiant stand, but were again defeated where thousands of prisoners were captured and killed.  The Americans withdrew out of New York, into New Jersey and retreated all the way into Pennsylvania.  In total, the Americans were badly beaten 7 times in this war. Continue Reading

Following is a piece I put together after a player on our team suffered a significant injury.  The injury occurred just before the Haiti earthquake.  The earthquake certainly put things into perspective in comparison to the injury.

The earthquake in Haiti has challenged a nation, but they will survive.  Their lives uprooted, homes destroyed, and families torn apart, but they will thrive.  Individuals will take on new roles. A teacher will use physical Continue Reading

Only a month and a half ago, we were a bunch of individuals.  Individuals that were unsure of themselves as players, uncertain of this team, and didn’t have a clue about this new coach.  But for some reason, you decided to let your guard down and listen to what I had to preach, to move in ways that were unfamiliar on the court, to take on new disciplines off the court, and slowly open up to the team about you.  You took a chance, you took a risk, and the reward is trust

Trust comes in various forms, little and big.  Little trust is knowing that a teammate “has your back”.  We line our bags up at each practice to help build trust.  We know that if you leave something behind, we’ve got your back.  We trust that you are making a conscious Continue Reading

This season we are going to play like rockstars!   You will perform your craft in front of a large audience.  Your band inspires you to keep rhythm.  Sound amazing?  It is! But to be a great rockstar, it ironically requires great discipline and consistency.

Miley and Taylor are away from their friends most weekends, just like you are away from yours at tournaments.  And their band, much like your teammates, inspires them to keep rhythm.  They have to study for school on the road.  They have to practice with their band before performances.  They have to exercise and eat right to stay in top shape.  Sound familiar?  Rockstars maintain a true discipline. Continue Reading

For the past few days I was fortunate to travel to Tampa, FL for the American Volleyball Coaches Association Annual Convention.  In addition, I watched the NCAA Final Four Championships and one of the best volleyball matches ever played between # 1 Penn State and #2 Texas.  I hope you also had the opportunity to watch this amazing match and could imagine yourself on the court. Continue Reading

It’s beginning to look a lot like…distraction.  Distraction?!?!  Yes, distraction.  It is very easy to become distracted by important things in life during the Holiday Season.  Important things include academics, family, and friends.  Continue Reading

Our second week of practice was as successful as our first.  The Team is discovering its positive identity and friendships are blossoming.  The forming stage of a team is exciting.  Let’s remember this feeling as we continue throughout our journey. Continue Reading

Each week I provide my team little reminders to help keep them focused on our goal.

After a first great week of practice, it is easy for each of us to fall back into our old routines, to go our separate ways over the next four days, fall back into our own worlds, and “forget” about each other (this is what ordinary teams do).  Or we can make the extra effort to become a more than ordinary, an extra ordinary, an extraordinary team! Continue Reading

I’m headed up to Richmond, VA for the weekend for the Monument City Classic Volleyball Tournament.  The first tournament of the Carolina Juniors 16s Team.  The girls are prepared (let’s hope the coach is too).  It should be fun!

Dear Player,

The core philosophy of the Carolina Juniors 16s Coaches is Passion and Love. We are intensely passionate about coaching volleyball and wish to pass on our love for the game. We will do this by establishing a nurturing learning environment, a positive, fun, yet intense team culture, and challenge each player beyond personal comfort zones to achieve something extraordinary. Continue Reading

Dear Parents,

Club Volleyball is a tremendous opportunity for your daughter to grow as a young adult. It offers challenges far beyond the classroom, pushing her physical and intellectual limitations in a combined effort. Your daughter’s choice to play club volleyball will enable her to become extraordinary. Continue Reading

1.    To cultivate a nurturing learning environment that teaches life lessons though volleyball.

2.    To encourage a positive and fun volleyball family that focuses on the team without distraction. Continue Reading

Following is a great article on college recruiting. I am grateful to re-post this piece with the approval of Dr. Dave Epperson and Dr. Paul Arrington. Two great minds. I thank them for allowing me to pass their experience and knowledge on to you…to help guide you through this sometimes treacherous process. Continue Reading

This upcoming club season season, I will be coaching the Carolina Juniors Volleyball Club 16s National Team.  I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to coach this team and look forward to working with the talented athletes from the Charlotte area.

If you have interest in trying-out for this team, tryouts will be held at the Sports Connection on Granite Street (click here for map) on November 9th from 7:00 – 9:00 and November 12th from 5:00 – 7:00.  Please visit the Carolina Juniors website to register.

We look forward to seeing you on the court and remember to keep the ball off the floor!