Coaches Spotlight

How and where did your coaching career start?

I started “coaching” by being a gym-rat, growing up around my mother’s high-school teams back home in Burnt Hills, NY. Being around volleyball from a young age, along with experiencing the impact that coaches can have on student-athletes, and my love for the sport really spurred coaching into a career!

How did it feel to learn that you were an AVCA Diversity Award recipient?

I was excited to be a recipient! Thinking back to 2015, having the opportunity to attend my first AVCA Convention and be a part of this incredible educational/professional development program was a humbling recognition to receive.

How has the award impacted your coaching career?

Being a former award winner has impacted my career through increasing my personal network of coaches that I not only know but call friends. Having additionally been asked to speak to other award winners about my experiences in coaching, has also led to great conversations about shared experiences, while allowing me to learn more about the diverse backgrounds and challenges that coaches face throughout the country within any level of the sport.

What’s your favorite coaching memory?

I’ll give three:
Winning my first match as a HC at BJNC with my mom as my AC
The countless conversations and moments outside of volleyball with student-athletes
Coaching a group to a Gold medal at USAV High-Performance Championships

Sports Imports would also like to recognize the entire 2015 class of AVCA Diversity Awards Winners:

Paula Barros, Faculty, Cisco College – formerly St. Gregory’s University
Ashley Davis, Coach, 15-1s Wisconsin Performance – formerly Madison College
Kamisha Kellam, Head Girls Volleyball Coach, Bishop McNamara High School – formerly Howard University
Ana Moreira-Pego, Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach, University of North Carolina Charlotte – formerly University of New Haven
Natalie Thomas, Head Girls Volleyball Coach, Blaine High School – formerly Minnesota State University Moorhead
Mark Thomas II, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach, US Coast Guard Academy – formerly Newbury College

(800) 556-3198

6950 Worthington Galena Rd, Suite 120
Worthington, OH 43085

Quick Links

Shop

Resources

Website Designed by SocialFirm