The AVCA’s Expanded Coaches 4 Coaches Program Announces 2022 Scholarship Recipients
14 Emerging Volleyball Coaches Receive Special Scholarships
Lexington, Ky. (Oct. 27, 2022) – The American Volleyball Coaches Association is proud to announce the 14 recipients of the 2022 Coaches 4 Coaches Scholarships. The scholarship fund covers registration and hotel costs to bring a select group of up-and-coming volleyball coaches to their first AVCA Convention.
“On behalf of the committee I would like to congratulate the scholarship recipients,” says Jaime Gordon, AVCA Coaches 4 Coaches Committee Chair and Morehead State University Director of Volleyball and Director of Athletics. “This was the largest pool of applicants in this scholarship’s 14-year history and the level of applications made the selections a difficult process.
“We are confident that these 14 represent the passion and commitment of their peers and that they will be outstanding ambassadors for the Coaches 4 Coaches program. I am grateful for the time and commitment that the committee has dedicated to these applicants, as well as the many individuals that give so generously to make this program possible.”
During the Convention, which will take place in Omaha, Nebraska, Dec. 14–17, scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to network with successful coaches from all levels and take part in a diverse group of educational opportunities that make this an annual can’t-miss event.
Earlier this fall, the AVCA announced a new partnership with Sports Imports to expand Coaches 4 Coaches beyond the Convention. The new initiative adds continuing education opportunities from True North Sports, such as allowing C4C recipients access to take part in a series of nine, 90-minute live sessions on Zoom in early 2023 and access to the self-paced “Managing Yourself” classes.
This year’s 14 recipients of the Coaches 4 Coaches Scholarships are:
- Laura de Rosales, Central College
- Kristen Fritsche, Stephen F. Austin State
- Joseth Irizarry, North Park
- Sarah Kuehn, Rice
- Drew Langston, Wake Forest
- Blake Leeson, DePaul
- Mehana Ma‘a, UC Santa Barbara (Vong Family Endowment)
- Will Perry, Boston College
- Robert Poole, Charleston
- Savannah Rennie, Southern California (Sue Enquist Scholarship)
- Yasmin Tan, McNeese State
- Katie Valeria, Houston Christian
- Janeese VerVelde, McKendree
- Andrew Viselli, St. John’s Prep/Nantucket High School (Selected and sponsored by the Massachusetts Girls Volleyball Coaches Association)
This year’s 14-member Coaches 4 Coaches class includes the recipients of the Vong Family Endowment, the Sue Enquist Scholarship and the honoree sponsored and selected by the Massachusetts’ Girls Volleyball Coaches Association.
Mehana Ma‘a, a current student-athlete at UC Santa Barbara, is receiving her award through the Vong Family Endowment. The Endowment, which was started by Sandy Vong and his children in 2021, is a continuation of their love for the sport. Sandy was the first women’s volleyball coach at the University of Michigan, served as an advisor to the U.S. Women’s National Team for a decade, and is a member of the AVCA Hall of Fame.
This year’s Sue Enquist Scholarship recipient is Savannah Rennie, a volunteer assistant coach at Southern California. Enquist, who worked as a sport performance advisor with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball team leading up to the Olympics in Tokyo, is sponsoring the scholarship in honor of the gold-medal-winning squad.
Andrew Viselli was sponsored and selected by the Massachusetts’ Girls Volleyball Coaches Association as its scholarship winner. Viselli serves as the head girls volleyball coach at St. John’s Prep/Nantucket High School.
To qualify for the C4C Scholarship, applicants must be active AVCA members who are attending their first AVCA Convention. The selection committee reviewed the applications and makes their decisions based on many factors.
These scholarships are funded through the generous donations of AVCA-member coaches and other advocates for up-and-coming coaches including the AAU, which hosts a social event at the AVCA Convention benefitting the fund. To help continue the Coaches 4 Coaches program, please donate today.
