Coach Crossett Rediscovers His Passion Through a New Generation
By Candice Coots in Coach of the Week53-year-old Jim Crossett re-discovered a passion many adults do after their jobs, families and life responsibilities move to the forefront of their lives. A former high school and college volleyball player, Crossett unearthed his enthusiasm for the game when his two daughters prepared to play middle school volleyball a few years back.
The difference between his youth participation and involvement now is that he’s coaching. Our Coach of the Week transitioned from bumping the volleyball around with his daughters in the backyard to a full-time extra curricular activity as head coach of multiple teams.
“Coaching volleyball allows me to connect in a very real way, with the young people who are just learning the game," Crossett wrote.
As Coach C (his coaching nickname) assisted with his daughters’ volleyball teams through middle, high school and club ball, he found that his love of the sport grew. He expressed that the transition from teaching youth players how to reach their potential in the game of volleyball was a great break from his work life. He now has his hands full coaching three Chapel Hill Area Volleyball clubs.
He is the master coach for two CHAVC 13U teams. These teams focus on the fundamentals and a basic understanding of the sport and strategies. He also leads the 16 and above CHAVC team, which targets competitive and elite play.
“Both age groups are fun to work with and bring an excitement to the game,” wrote Coach C.
The responsibility of heading up three teams is only Coach C’s side gig. During the day he works in the high tech sector as a mergers and acquisitions specialist, integrating companies together after one buys the other out. He wrote that his dayside job is challenging, rewarding and at times stressful. Sounds like Coach C has two jobs that push him to be a great leader whether behind the desk or on the court.
Coach C’s Keys to Success:
1. Instill a love of the game.
2. Ensure the players learn solid fundamental skills.
3. Help each player practice how they need to play and play successfully what they practiced.
4. Help each player understand that success comes from hard work and never giving up.
In his final thoughts Coach C wrote that the playing season is still in the early stages, but he has great confidence that the teams will have a blast competing and improving their skills.
Coach C, I bet your having just as much fun as the girls. You’ve proven that anyone can pick up where they left off years passed and share their sport gusto in an entirely new way. Go Chapel Hill Club players. Have a successful 2010 season!
