Coaching Club Volleyball Has Many Rewards
The Herald News Online - Sports
Christine Beltzhoover, Guest Columnist
October 19, 2002
about giving your best and working hard. That, at the very least, was what I expected from my athletes. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, I was faced with "breaking the three-sport mold" and "taking away athletes from their schools." Needless to say, I wasn't very popular with the local athletic directors.
Thankfully, I also inherited perseverance and tenacity, and I don't give up easily. I fought for those kids who wanted to play just volleyball. I wasn't interested in "stealing" any athletes. I just wanted to provide those interested with an opportunity to play volleyball in the off-season.
It was a niche that I knew existed and one I would have loved to have when I was in high school. This club first began so I could coach my younger sister and hopefully get her a scholarship to play in college.
This game, specifically in the club arena, has grown immensely. I'm sure I had something to do with pioneering it in the Joliet area, and am amazed at how much the game has grown. Things have changed a lot since 1978. The athletes are different now. They are over-committed, stressed, over-indulged and over-worked.
To get the most from these athletes, we've had to change our philosophy a little. I'm happy with the change. I have teams from fifth through 12 grades, kids who want to practice twice a week and play in two tournaments a month. The other time is well spent with academic activities, other club sports, and school functions, which should be a rightful part of their youth. We're answering the needs of the athletes.
My "break" into club served a very important purpose many years ago. Over the past 17 years, I assisted 65 athletes in this area achieve scholarships through my program. That's just about $4 million dollars. While my hope is that we have had a positive influence on each of their lives, I am happy with the idea that I helped send so many girls to college, and encouraged so many others to continue to play this wonderful game.
I am reminded of my life's work when "my girls" e-mail me, call me, visit me, and remind me how much Uno has meant to them. It's not the be-all, end-all for everyone, but it's one place where they can stretch their limits, sweat a little, and share my love for the game.
Many of you that know me know that I've devoted much of my life to coaching. It's certainly not all fun and games anymore and the constant parental pressure makes me wonder how much longer I'll do it.
My best advice to all children would be to stay involved in school. Get into sports, clubs and activities. Give yourself a reason to to and stay in school. Your best defense is a good education.
Christine Beltzhoover-Klingler is in her sixth year of teaching fifth grade at Wesmere Elementary School in Plainfield. She has a masters degree in education from Benedictine University in Lisle. She is in her 17th year as owner/director of the Uno Volleyball Club. Christine is also coaching the seventh and eighth grade girls volleyball teams at St. Raymond's Grade School in Joliet.