I have always loved athletics, and I have long kept in the back of my mind the thought that, one day, I would have a career in sports.
When sports broadcasting — my major in college — didn’t work out, I thought I would coach for a year until I figured out what I really wanted to do. That was back in 2002. Ever since, I have been taking it one year at a time.
I especially like coaching at the college level. It is competitive, it and involves a lot of different things for me to oversee (event and travel planning, budgeting, youth camps and marketing… in addition to recruiting, scouting and training).
What I like best, though, is the growth we get to witness and be a part of as coaches. We see and experience the growth of teenagers who enter our program as freshmen, as they become mature adults that graduate and go out into the world. There really is so much change that takes place over that four to five-year period as these young athletes make many major life decisions.
I grew up in Eaton, graduated high school in 1998 and attended UNC Volleyball camps as a kid. My mom coached, and I remember attending clinics with her at UNC. I also attended many games as a fan and looked up to the players as role models.
After graduating from Louisiana State University, taking the graduate assistant job at UNC felt like coming back home. I love Greeley, and it has been a great home in all stages of my life.
I am a morning person, so I usually get up around 5 a.m. when my husband leaves for work. I am able to get in about two hours of work before my two kids (Dylan, 10 and Rylee, 8) wake up. I usually start with some quiet time reading my Bible or a devotion.
During the season, this is also a time I spend watching a lot of film of matches to prepare for our opponents. Then, after taking the kids to school, I head into the office.
Over my 20-plus years of coaching, I have learned that the most important thing is my team. This is why I prioritize my relationship with them (individual meetings, journal writing and film time) and why I work so hard to be prepared for them. Practices can only be efficient and productive if I am prepared.
I meet with each player bi-weekly so that I can touch base with each individual about all the things in her life outside of volleyball. When we know each other as people, not just as a coach or athlete, it is more enjoyable and the strong relationship that is built allows me to say the hard things while I coach them.
The athletes also prepare a journal entry every day telling me about their goals, school, family and other things in their lives, and I write back each day in response. This is just another form of communication that allows me to connect with each athlete individually every day.
Right now, there are big challenges in college sports. There has been a lot of change in the last few years, and there will be even more change coming. It is easy to get caught up in things I don’t have any control over. But, I keep focused on continuing to mentor and build relationships with the athletes as they navigate this pivotal time in their life.
I have learned that the most important thing is my team.
There are big challenges in college sports.