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findingahomeonthevolleyballcourt · 2 years ago

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Finding a Never Ending Love for the Game

Finding something you really love is hard. For me, I was lucky enough to be guided by those I trust towards something that I ended up finding a true passion for. Four years ago, upon deciding to attend a local private high school (Presentation of Mary Academy), I made the choice to try something new for once in my life. For the twelve years prior, I had been a competitive gymnast, and never thought once about trying something new. When high school rolled around, that changed, and it changed fast. I was tall for my age, and was reminded of it constantly by my neighbors, who had met through college volleyball, and ended up getting married and having three children together. For them, volleyball was more than just a sport.

After months of debating, I decided that I would try out for my high school's volleyball team. I had never touched a ball, or even watched the sport, but I felt like it was time to try something new. I announced the news to my neighbors (Kendra and John), who were elated that I had finally decided to give it a try, and put my height to use. Kendra and John were so eager to help me succeed, and pass on their love for the sport. Every Tuesday night for the rest of the summer, we would spend hours outside in the yard learning the basics. Kendra would toss balls for me, and her husband, John, would teach me how to properly approach when hitting a ball. My first memory of volleyball was the two of them debating over what position they thought I would be. John would say, “she’s definitely a middle,” while Kendra rebutted, claiming that I “was definitely an outside hitter.” Turns out, John was right. It became a tradition throughout the summer, and something I looked forward to. While neither Kendra or John ever held any official coaching positions, I like to consider them my first ever volleyball coaches.

When September rolled around, I tried out for the Junior Varsity (JV) team at Presentation of Mary Academy. I was elated when I found out that I had made the team, and spent the next few months learning the basics. Halfway into my freshman year season, I was asked to practice with the Varsity team. This came as a shock, because I had only started playing a few weeks before. While this opportunity was exciting, it was also scary. I took it as a challenge, and sure enough, it all turned out to be great in the end.

My sophomore year of high school, I was forced to transfer as my current school announced it would be closing due to financial reasons. This was terrifying, as I had worked hard to make Varsity at my current school, and didn’t want all my hard work to go to waste. I ended up transferring to the Academy of Notre Dame in February of 2020. A month after transferring, I was forced to go remote due to the Covid pandemic. I had also recently started playing club volleyball at Mill City, which was based out of Lowell, MA. I really enjoyed playing, and club volleyball was the next stepping stone. Because of Covid, practices were canceled and so were classes. For the next few months I was at home, I spent every free second passing a volleyball against my garage wall outside. I couldn’t go a day without touching a ball. During this time, my parents started to realize how serious I was about the sport.

My Junior year of high school came around, and I was finally able to be back in the classroom and on the court with my friends. I made the Varsity volleyball team at my new school, and was selected to play for the Mill City 17’s National Team. My volleyball career started to take off this year. Balancing academics and athletics at my new school was hard, but I was up for the challenge. My senior year rolled around, and so did college recruiting time. Since I had started playing volleyball so much later than my peers, I never considered playing in college. I didn’t think I had enough skill or years under my belt. Turns out, this didn’t matter. I played for my high school team again my senior year, and was voted MVP of the league for the second year in a row. I was honored to be able to play for Mill City’s National team yet again, where I met some of my best friends, to this day. I started reaching out to colleges, just to see if I would even be eligible to play at the collegiate level. Endicott College had always been one of my top three choices during the college selection process. I loved the campus, the internship program, and the strength of the volleyball program. I dreamed of being a part of such a successful team. I reached out to Head Coach Tim Byram several times, but he never seemed to have much interest. For my position (Middle Blocker), I am rather short. Most girls are at least six feet tall, and a five foot, ten inch Middle Blocker is not very interesting to college coaches.

In December of 2021, I attended a prospect clinic at Endicott, where I was able to play with some girls who were also looking at being recruited by Coach Byram. After the camp, Coach Byram invited me to stay and play with the team, as he thought I had potential. This was shocking, as I never thought I had the talent to be a collegiate athlete. Two weeks later, I was offered a roster spot and committed to play for Coach Byram on the Endicott Women’s Volleyball team. The love that I had for this sport had propelled me to work hard, and eventually helped me achieve what I had been dreaming of.

The summer leading up to my freshman year of college, I worked harder than ever inside and out of the gym. I lifted every single day, to get my vertical up, as I was not as tall as the other girls. I knew that as a freshman (especially a shorter one), I had a very slim chance of earning court time. Turns out, my hard work paid off more than I could have imagined. After two weeks of dedication during preseason, I was placed in the starting line up. Starting in my first collegiate game was one of the most memorable experiences ever, and reuniting with my parents after that game was unforgettable.

A few weeks into the season, while playing in a game, I turned to the door and saw a few familiar faces walking in. Kendra and John, my first ever “coaches,” had come to see me play. Tears started to well up in my eyes as I walked off the court after my rotation. It was a full-circle moment to see the people who inspired me to play, watch me play at the collegiate level. The love that they had for the sport was something they instilled in me, and that passion helped me get to where I am today.

This sport has taught me a lot about life and myself as a person. I am forever grateful for the connections that the sport has given me. I met some of my best friends through club volleyball, and have formed family-like bonds with my current teammates. When I first started playing volleyball, a fire was sparked inside me that continued to grow. I cannot imagine myself without this sport. It has taught me how to be a teammate on and off the court, how to communicate with others, and the importance of time management. While some days are challenging, I would not trade them for the world. Every team celebration on the court makes it all worth it.

I have been dealing with an injury for the last six months, and remembering how much I love this sport has kept me motivated. It has been hard, and I’ll admit that some days I want to give up. But, I think about the fire that has started inside me. I have a passion so strong for this sport, and I know deep down that there is no way to give it up. I have worked hard over the past few years, and grown a lot. I know now that each challenge I face is preparing me for my future, both on and off the volleyball court.

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findingahomeonthevolleyballcourt · 2 years ago

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When a Team Becomes a Family

When life gets tough, it’s important to surround yourself with people who will lift you up again. As a college athlete, who now has one season under my belt, I can say first-hand how true this is. My first year of college athletics didn’t go as planned, but I am surrounded by a group of people who want nothing but the best for me.

Coming in as a freshman on the Endicott College Women’s Volleyball Team, I expected to be faced with the average college challenges, such as learning to navigate life as an adult, learning time management, and the physical and mental challenges that college athletics face you with. I never expected to be forced to take a step back from what I love most.

In early October, I pulled myself out of an important conference game because of some shoulder pain, and never thought that it would have been the last time I touched the court for months. The pain that I felt that day was worse than any pain I had felt in my time as an athlete. I remember coming off the bench and turning to my teammate to tell her how I was unable to put my arm above my head. She told me I should tell our coach (Tim Byram), but in fear of letting my team down during such an important game, I refused. I went back in for my next rotation, and came off the court, on the verge of tears. I walked over to my teammate again, who turned to me and said “one game is not worth the rest of your career. You have four more years ahead of you.” As hard as it was to comprehend at the time, I can now say how right she was. I walked over to Coach Byram and told him about the pain I was in, and he immediately pointed me in the direction of the trainer who was working the game.

I was put in a sling out of caution, as the trainer thought I may have torn my bicep tendon. I stood on the bench for the rest of the game, trying to avoid eye contact with my parents in the stands who were terrified about what was going on. So many thoughts were racing through my head. I was worried about letting my team down, and was fearful that my coach would be disappointed. After the game, I was able to remove my brave face, as I cried in the hallway with my parents. I didn't want my team to see how much pain I was in, because I was expecting to have a quick recovery and return to play. Coach Byram instantly came and found my family in the hallway. He helped us make plans to get an MRI in the following weeks, and was ready to step in wherever necessary. He showed me true compassion, and proved that he wanted the best for me as a person, rather than just an athlete on a team. That day was hard, as I was terrified of not knowing what was wrong with me, and felt bad about not being able to provide for my team physically, like I had been training to do.

Over the next few weeks I visited three doctors, had two MRI’s, and received one unfortunate diagnosis. A neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital diagnosed me with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). TOS occurs when a person's blood vessels, nerves, and arteries are compressed by surrounding muscle and bone. It can cause pain, nerve damage, swelling, and a lack of strength when the arm is raised overhead. While I was grateful that my bicep was not torn, I was uncertain of what this new diagnosis would mean for my future as an athlete. I soon learned that I had several options to treat my condition, including surgery, injections, and physical therapy.

The second I walked out of my appointment I checked my phone, and noticed I had received a good luck text from my teammates and coach. I responded to Coach Byram, and told him I would be back on campus soon to talk about how the appointment went. While this was not the news I was hoping for, I knew I had a village surrounding me, wanting to help me get better. I walked into Coach Byram’s office later that day, upset that I had to give him rather unfortunate news. The plan was to start with physical therapy, but the process to getting back on the court would most likely be long. I didn’t want to have to tell my coach that this was the end of my season. We had a long conversation, about next steps for my recovery, and the time range we were facing. We were already about halfway through the season, and I most likely wouldn't be back on the court by the end of the season. While this was hard to face, Coach Byram made me feel as if I was still a part of the team. He and I both wanted me back on the court, but he reminded me over and over again that I still had my whole career in front of me.

The week after my diagnosis, Coach Byram pulled me into his office for a quick meeting. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to talk about, however when I walked in, I was greeted with a smile. He sat me down and asked “how are you doing? I know that this can be really hard.” Going from playing volleyball every single day to not being able to play at all is a huge adjustment. I didn’t know it at the time, but it also comes with a large mental toll. Many athletes, like myself, feel lost without their sport. When my coach first asked how I was doing, I lied. I was scared of showing weakness or emotion, as I wanted to be strong for my team. I told him I was doing just fine, and was just eager to get back on the court.

Several weeks later, after finding out that my physical therapy had made my condition worse, I was forced to be honest with my coach. I told him how hard it has been adjusting to my new routine, and how frustrated I was that physical therapy (the least invasive solution to my condition) didn’t work. I was now going to have to look at surgery or injections, which both had possible complications. Coach Byram let me cry in his office, and told me that if I ever needed to take a day off, that would be more than fine. He explained that he has dealt with injuries before in other athletes, and understands that sometimes we need what he called “a mental day.” That conversation showed me how much my coach cared, and wanted me to get better, both mentally and physically.

When I first got injured, my fear was letting my team down. I had worked hard to earn a starting spot on the court, and did not want all my hard work to go to waste. I wanted to be able to support my team in the ways that I was trained to do. Just about six months later, I can now say that my team never once thought about me letting them down, and in reality, just wanted me back on the court so they could see me happy again. The first week after I got hurt was difficult. My team understood that, and did whatever they could to make sure I still felt at home while in the gym. They made me a “get well soon” basket full of all my favorite candies to cheer me up, and welcomed me with extra love every time I entered the gym.

TOS is something complex that doesn't have an easy fix, which has made the past few months extra difficult to manage. I still attend and participate in every lift and practice with my team, and help out where I can by doing things such as shag balls or help run drills. Lifts are not as fun as they used to be, as I have to perform adapted exercises that don’t use my arms. I am often separated from the team to do this, but they make sure to cheer me on and welcome me back with open arms when we are reunited again. While this isn’t fun, and some days it’s hard to be in the gym, my team and coach have been supportive and understanding the whole way through.

From the very first doctor's appointment I had after my injury, Coach Byram proved that he was going to be with me every step of the way. He would wish me good luck before big appointments, chat with me after to make sure we were on the same page, and meet with me periodically to see how I was doing. Being out with an injury is difficult to cope with, and he understands that. He communicates with me and my family to make sure we are doing well, and always offers to help wherever he can. Although I am not on the court physically, he has been able to make me feel involved with the team in every way possible.

Coach Byram has built an atmosphere for the program that ensures every athlete is a part of a family, no matter the circumstances. After hearing some disheartening news a few weeks ago about my progress, I felt like I needed some space from volleyball to collect myself and decide what my next step was. I had been approved for injections in my shoulder, however I found out that I would not be able to get them for at least a few months. I had planned on taking a night off, to talk with my family about my other options, as I was discouraged that my initial plan for injections had fallen through. My team had gathered together in the gym to watch the Endicott Men’s Volleyball game that night. I ended up going to the game with my family after discussing our next steps and plan of action. I was greeted with hugs, jokes, and smiles by all of my teammates. They had been filled in by our coach on what had been going on, and did everything they could to make me feel as if I still belonged. My coach came over to us as soon as he noticed we were at the game, and sat with us to brainstorm ideas about how to get me back on the court. He asked how I was doing, and even checked in with my parents, as their heads had been spinning with everything that had been going on. My coach told me that he had been talking with our team trainer to come up with other options for my injections. Coach Byram and the rest of my team showed me that I have a strong support system, and don’t have to do this all on my own.

While sometimes it feels like the easiest option is to be alone, this team has taught me how much easier it is to get better with the help and support of those who care about you. My team constantly gathers together to show me how much I still matter to them, even if I can’t be on the court with them at this point. They are constantly reminding me how important I am to the team, and encouraging me to keep working hard. Several weeks ago I received a message from a teammate telling me not to give up, as she knew that, “I will be back on that court someday.” These encouraging messages go a long way, and have shown me just how much I still matter to the team.

While I physically cannot practice with my team on the court, this program has made me feel at home in every way possible. I have a family on and off the court, who want the best for me, even if it may take longer than expected. Coach Byram has built a team chemistry and atmosphere that is so strong, it is impossible to feel like you are right at home, even on the hardest of days.

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findingahomeonthevolleyballcourt · 2 years ago

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How volleyball helps form relationships that last a lifetime

The connections that we make in life will often lead us back to the place we once called home. For Endicott Men’s Volleyball Head Coach George Chapell, this rings true. After playing volleyball competitively at the college level, Chapell finds himself right back where it all started. Starting in 2003, Chapell played on the Endicott Men’s Volleyball Team under Head Coach Tim Byram. Byram, now the head coach of the Endicott Women’s Volleyball Team, was once head of both the men’s and women’s programs at Endicott. Coach Byram, who guided Chapell on his athletic journey during his four years at Endicott, now acts as his mentor, as Chapell found a passion for coaching himself. Upon graduating in 2008, Chapell took the assistant coaching position with Byram for both the Endicott Men’s and Women's Volleyball Teams. When the programs split into two a few years later, Chapell took the lead over the Men’s program.

Chapell found a love for the sport at a young age that has since turned into a successful career. Chapell, who learned a lot from Byram as a person and a coach, appreciates the relationship that the two of them have formed. Although the two men are now colleagues, Chapell has never lost the urge to refer to Byram as “Coach.” The passion and appreciation that Byram has for the game was most certainly passed onto Chapell. Both coaches see the importance of fostering healthy relationships with their athletes, and love the connections that they form along the way. They both desire to build successful programs by recruiting players whose main goal is to be a great teammate. While both men have experienced the ups and down that college coaching can bring, they have demonstrated that they have what it takes to be a successful coach.

Within his Q & A Interview, Coach Chapell demonstrates that he appreciates the relationships he has formed over the years, and understands that volleyball is so much more than a sport; it's a way of life. Chapell explains how he got his start in the world of volleyball, and where it has taken him over the years. He touches upon Coach Byram’s influence on him as a person, as well as the impact Byram has had on his own coaching style. While he shares some of his memorable moments along the way, Chapell talks about transitioning from being a player on the court to a coach on the sideline.

How did you become interested in volleyball?

I first became interested in volleyball in middle school. My cousin played; she played for our high school and told me I would be good, since I was tall and athletic. I was a soccer player through and through at that point. I tried it, and got pretty serious about it my freshman year of highschool. I started playing club and here we are.

Can you describe Coach Byram as a coach during the time that you played for him?

Byram was fiery. He was much younger, obviously, at the time. Probably in his late twenties, early thirties. Much like myself now, maybe even younger. He was fiery, I’d say. He had the respect of the locker room. People looked up to him, he was very transparent, very honest with you. You always knew where you stood.

Are there any memorable moments of stories from your time playing for Coach Byram?

A bunch of good wins. Just funny trips. When we went out Vassar College, the bus broke down. On their senior night, we showed up four hours late and swept them on their senior night, and they were so upset. Our bus to pick us up there was late too. We ended up having a WWE wrestling match out in front, because some kid on our team loved wrestling. They [the Vassar team] walked by us in their suits and ties, so mad at us.

We had our worst trip ever going out to North Carolina. It was 55 hours on the bus and five days. We all hated each other at the end of the trip; he [Byram] hated us. It was just too much time condensed together.

We did California too my freshman year. This is a funny Tim story too. We flew into San Jose, played at Santa Cruz, driving down to L.A. for day two. Tim said ‘alright we’re going to drive the scenic coastal interstate.’ We left at 6 p.m. from Santa Cruz, California, so an hour into the ride it's pitch black. So we drove seven and a half hours in pitch black, on the scenic route.

If you could describe Byram as a coach in one word, what would it be?

Probably passionate. As cliche as it sounds, it’s the fire this sport burns in him. He gets passionate when he talks about the sport, he gets passionate when he talks about you young women. He loves being a college coach and he loves this program. I think it’s had so much success under him because of the time and the hours he puts into it, which is a passion. It’s a labor of love, and he loves it, so I’d say passionate.

How would you describe your experience as a college athlete?

Much different than what it is today, but it connected me with some of my best friends, still to this day. I have a group chat that goes back with guys that graduated in 2004. So, 20 years ago now. I’ve been to nine or ten, maybe even more weddings for teammates I’ve had. I’m starting to get invited now to weddings of my players. It’s just a really good group of dudes that came together with one interest at the beginning and that’s what brought us all through those doors. But you just become interested in so much more together.

How would you describe the atmosphere of your team while Byram was your coach?

A bunch of guys that liked to have fun, playing the sport we loved, but took it seriously as well. We didn’t have the player development tools that you guys behave now with strength and conditioning. Athletic training was much smaller back then. Just a bunch of guys that respected the game, respected each other, and respected Coach.

What made you want to become a coach?

I was originally a physical education major, that’s what I got my degree in. And also went to work in the business world upon graduation, while being the assistant coach at Endicott. Everyday at work, I hated being in a cubicle and hated the office, and thought about how much I couldn't wait to get out of there to get back into the gym. I think coaching with Byram at his camps and clinics really got it started first. One of my semester long internships was at my high school with my high school coach. I was the head coach for the freshman girls volleyball team and then assistant coach for the varsity team. I started coaching at a club too and that really got the fire going.

How was it transitioning from being Byram’s player to his colleague?

I still call him ‘Coach.’ I only call him Tim when we are in a room full of coaches and I can’t just say ‘coach,’ and then 20 people look at you. I’ve always respected him. He and I have always talked a lot. It’s weird being next to my former professors. They are my neighbors in my office. I still struggle with it at that point, because they were my professors, and now I'm 12 years into this. It was weird at first being the head coach when he was the past head coach. I was always thinking, ‘is he judging me’ or ‘is he thinking what I’m thinking on court about how he would do it differently?’ I think at first it threatened me. Not threatened me, but I was nervous about what he would think. But now, he and I can sit down and just have conversations about it, and I can use it to my advantage, and he is. We will sit down and just talk about games. I am at all of your [women's team] games at home, so he and I talk theory, talk lineups, talk about what we would do differently, and then ask for opinions. So, it’s a good, valuable tool to have.

How would you describe your own coaching style? Did you learn a lot from Byram?

I would say I’m fiery as well, I think as you’ve seen. I’ve adapted some stuff from him, some stuff from other coaches I’ve seen. I think the biggest thing is to just be yourself. You can take aspects from different people, but if you’re not being who you are, you’re automatically lying or trying to put up something you’re not, it’s going to catch up to you sooner rather than later.

I think the biggest thing with Byram, is that back in my day recruiting was so different. You’d have to go in person, there was no online, there were no files. You would send VHS tapes and the advanced kids sent DVDs, those were the rich kids! It was more just seeing you, and then calling your house phone. There was one coach that called me everyday in high school, and I knew what his number was and I would avoid him. Tim was pretty passive in the recruiting process. I think that’s what I do, even with our top guys right now. We have two Four-Star guys left on the board. I reach out to them once every week, once every two weeks. I don’t want to be that overbearing person, because you’re making the biggest decision of your life. You know I want you here, you know I love you here, let’s make it happen. If not, I’m not going to be knocking down your door to be here.

How would you describe Byram’s coaching style today, as a fellow coach?

He is much more analytical now. He was always honest and transparent, but now he harnesses the stats, and will sit down and tell you exactly where you stand, even if you don’t agree with it. He’s not going to hide it from you. He’s got all the numbers and the film to back it up.

How would you say today Byram helps to create the atmosphere that the team loves to be a part of?

I think it starts in the recruiting process. He and I both look for gym rats. Kids that you're going to have to kick out of the facility, kick out of the gym, and get away. It’s a really good problem for me to tell a young man, or for him to tell a young woman, that they need some time down, and to go rest. As opposed to looking at the super talented kids that you can't drag in for individual reps. That’s like pulling teeth for them. Those kids are going to cause you so many more headaches in the long run. Empowering and encouraging those young men and young women that are passionate about it. If a kid is wavering on that line, and they see that young man or woman getting positive feedback or growing and developing quicker, you hope that they will pull them along with them. It all comes down to culture. You recruit hard, and it pays off in the long run. Sometimes you swing and miss, and sometimes you hit ones that you don’t see coming. But you try to do a good job of vetting it out, talking to high school coaches, club coaches, the parents… We think about whether this young man or woman will work with us.

How would you describe the atmosphere of your own team? What role do you play in creating that atmosphere?

Again, going back to losing. We are just below .500 for the first time in 11 years, and you’d never know, talking to our guys. It came up on a recruiting visit today. A young man from Colorado witnessed me giving kudos to these guys for coming in with the same energy and trying hard. I think Covid has kind of shown me, when we've lost it all and it was all taken away, that it’s a gift that we get to be out there everyday. It’s the original thing that brings us all through those front doors of 376 Hale Street, but there is so much more that we have to offer here. Every day that we get to work together is a good day, and we need to keep trying to get better and better every single day. I think it again goes back to recruiting. You try to vet people out that will be any cancers or negative influences. But if you have those guys that are buying in and know a brighter future is ahead, they know that they will be able to keep pushing.

What would you say is the number one quality a coach should have? How do you integrate this into your own program?

I’d say honesty. I think even some of my guys now, the freshmen especially, for the first time since I took over 11 years ago, are not having the best record. So there are some losses going on, and some guys may question lineup choices, or why. If you come in here and sit down on a couch or chair in my office, I will tell you exactly why I make the decisions. If you don’t have those conversations, and don't come in and let it boil up under the surface, it can come to a bad head. So just come in and have the conversation. I always tell a young man not to approach a conversation with me about somebody else. If you go in asking why player X is starting over me, it’s the wrong way to handle everything. If you have the mindset of what can I do to get out there, or what can I do to improve my chances, then a coach is much more willing to have an honest conversation with a young man or young woman. I tell them that where they are standing right now is not locked in, but also tell them what they have to work on. I’d say honesty, first and foremost.

As a coach, how would you describe a successful/healthy team dynamic?

Again, honesty, but conversation needs to happen. There’s going to be conversations from coach to student athlete, student athlete to student athlete, and student athlete to coach, that are going to be uncomfortable for all parties involved. You are not always going to have what that individual wants to hear. If a young man is thinking about transferring, that's an uncomfortable conversation to have, but I want every kid to have the best four years of their lives here, but it’s not for everybody. If a young man is coming in to talk to me and I have to tell him he has been benched or passed by somebody, that’s not a fun conversation. And then, players to players: if they are not doing the right thing on weekends, or they are not in the weight room training, or getting individual reps. If your team and the student athletes can't hold each other accountable, where are you?

What is your favorite part about coaching at the college level?

Hopefully being able to play a role in having these young men have the best four years of their life. I want to win a national championship, for three out of the last five years we have finished number four in the country. Knocking on the door to that. I’ve started getting wedding invitations from my former student athletes, my former players. I had the first offspring of my players come out this year from San Diego. I would still want to win that national championship, don’t get me wrong. It’s first and foremost, but it’s rewarding to know that they value your input and your relationship enough that once they are gone, for eight to ten years, you are still on that invite list. Or, they call and just talk life. Some guys I talk to daily, we have an alumni Snapchat group for our fantasy sports leagues, for bragging rights only, obviously. And then there’s some guys that it’s once every two weeks we call. One young man just became a dad and was struggling with some stuff. I hadn't heard from him for two months since, but it’s been more weekly and he calls and catches up and touches base. We unfortunately lost one of our young alumni, Billy. He was killed in a car accident post-graduation. That really brought us all back together. That night, when he was in the hospital before he passed, nine of us drove down and were there until 5:00 in the morning. We drove home, freshened up, and then went back down to the hospital. We had guys flying from California, Chicago, overnight from New York City. We had about 35 alumni in that hospital room say goodbye to him at the end. Winning a national championship is first and foremost, but knowing that the lessons and the value of the relationships that I got out of it, that they're getting out of it as well is still being passed on is pretty cool.

What is the hardest part of coaching at the college level?

Telling a young man or a young woman that they are not good enough. Making a cut will always be the worst thing about my job. Asking for administrative stuff, like donations and fundraising is not my strong suit, because I don’t love being put in that role, but on court coaching stuff, having to cut a young man or young woman that loves the sport. Just saying that our program has passed you by or that they can't play here is not fun. That’s the worst part of this job.

What separates a good coach from a great coach?

Recruitment. Recruiting first and foremost. There’s a few other coaches outside of Endicott that I talk to and we say the best programs, the top ten programs, are made up of 80% recruiting, and 20% coaching. That last 20% is what really separates the top two from the rest of the top ten. You can recruit great kids all day, that can’t play a lick. You're really testing how much you're going to win. And then you can recruit great kids who are really talented, that might not be great kids, and I think you’re still capped at how much you are going to win. But if you can recruit great kids that are great teammates and really can play, then the sky’s the limit for you.

How important is teamwork when it comes to team success?

I think it’s pivotal, obviously. If players one through six on the court are pulling in a direction and then players seven, eight, and nine are just messing around on the end of the bench, the rest of the bench is going to follow them. If players two and three get hurt, seven and eight are just messing around and aren’t ready to go in. So, I think like Coach Byram said, being passionate about playing, being a good teammate, and buying into being a good teammate is true. If you aren’t all going in the same direction, early morning lifts, the off-season workouts, will get to be really repetitive. It’s got to be a relentless pursuit year round. You don't have to be perfect, or have your top A-game all the time, but teamwork, and everyone buying in helps people thrive and helps you push each other forward and forward and forward. I think it’s pivotal to what the team does.

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findingahomeonthevolleyballcourt · 2 years ago

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George Chapell (#9) cheers during his time at Endicott as a member of the Endicott Men’s Volleyball Team. (Photograph via Tim Byram)

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findingahomeonthevolleyballcourt · 2 years ago

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The 2004 Endicott Men’s Volleyball Team. Tim Byram (far left) stands next to George Chapell (#7). (Photograph via Tim Byram).

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findingahomeonthevolleyballcourt · 2 years ago

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Home is on the Volleyball Court

Lessons can sometimes come in the form of a loss. For Endicott Women’s Volleyball Head Coach Tim Byram, his first high stakes loss ignited a fire inside him. After a championship game loss to the University of New England, Byram remembers thinking that he “never wanted to shake that lady’s [University of New England Head Coach] hand as a loser again.” Over the next few years, Byram worked tirelessly to turn the table and take over the victor's side of the exchange.

Byram’s initial loss has catapulted him into great success as a coach. In 2004, as the head coach of the Endicott Women’s Volleyball Team, Byram clinched the program's first championship. Byram’s first championship holds a special place in his heart, however he has a list of memories that he cherishes, including this past season's on-the-road win against cross-town rival Gordon College in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Finals. As head coach, Byram has gone on to win the CCC Women’s Volleyball Championship for the past three years in a row, among other impressive conference wins. Byram said that the team's current goal is to become top of the regional polls, as the team has succeeded in making it to the CCC finals for the past 15 years.

Byram got his start in the world of volleyball through what he called “just gym class type stuff,” and soon went on to start a men's club team at his alma mater. He started his official coaching career his Sophomore year in college as the University of Maine Farmington Women’s Volleyball Team's student assistant in 1990. Byram kept his position as a student assistant for three years, and prior to graduation, was asked by the head coach to delay graduation and take her place as the interim head coach in 1994. In 1999, Byram took on his next head coaching job at Bates College. He was also the student assistant at Saint Joseph’s of Maine before making his way to the Endicott College Volleyball Program in 2000. Upon starting at Endicott, Byram headed both the men and women's programs.

Byram’s coaching style has evolved over the years. He holds a strong belief that the game teaches itself, which makes practicing game-like situations so important. Byram urges his athletes to work on game-like training, rather than what coaches refer to as block-training. Block-training is when an athlete works on a single fundamental skill. Byram sees the importance of letting athletes make adjustments. He explained that he tends to briefly explain a drill, play it out, and clean up issues that may present themselves along the way. Byram has a very hands-on coaching style, as he added “I just don’t like standing around a lot.” He mentioned how becoming a father and growing with his children has had a large impact on his changing coaching style as well. Byram said that when he first started coaching he had an idea of who he wanted to be as a coach, however becoming the father to his two sons changed his point of view. Byram said that he started to think about how he would want his sons to be talked to while they were being coached. He found himself observing the influence that his sons’ coaches had on their lives during their time in recreational sports. Byram started to think about how he may do something different than those who were coaching his sons, leading him to adapt his own coaching style to become more about building a well-rounded person. His coaching style soon “became equally developmental of the person as well as the sport’s skill.”

Along with Bryam’s coaching style, the team dynamic has also evolved over the years. At first, Byram’s idea of what a successful coach was what he described as being a “dictator of things,” as he believed that in order to succeed, the team needed to be led with a tight grip. Now, he understands just how important it is to hear his players' thoughts, in order for everyone to be on the same page. Byram said “I think having healthy communication and relationships is important.” Open communication, Byram said, has been a huge piece of the team's success over the years. The team has a 24-hour policy, where if there is a problem between teammates that is left unresolved, they should work it out 24-hours later if the issue still stands. Byram said that “if something’s going on, we address it. It just doesn't sit there and linger and make the whole environment become kind of toxic.”

Byram mentioned how the standards and expectations of his team are clear, which has gone a long way in ensuring that the team has a strong and healthy dynamic at all times. The expectations are both physical and social. The team has a sheet of social standards and expectations that each member signs prior to the season beginning. It covers a variety of topics, from responsibility on the court to responsibility in social settings. Byram commented on how much he likes that the standards are clear, as it allows players to aspire to become better in different areas of their life. Physical expectations are ranked by gold, silver, bronze, and “needs work.” Byram said that “it’s been quite motivating for people I think,” as it pushes his players to strive to become better athletes. When it comes to bringing in new players, Byram said that “we are looking for great teammates that want to be great teammates.” With a rather large incoming freshman class, Byram is eager to share the standards and expectations with the newcomers.

A member of the Endicott Men’s Volleyball Team, who has decided to join the coaching world himself, stopped by Byram’s office and commented on how good of a gig Byram had going on. He was in awe of how often Byram’s players would stop in his office to say hello, grab a snack, or just chat. The player said he noticed how much the team enjoys being a part of the program. The team that he had started coaching for was quite the opposite, as players only visited their coach if there was an issue that needed to be addressed. Byram’s office, equipped with a snack cabinet and couch, has become a spot that his athletes frequent.

Byram’s job changes greatly on a daily basis, as well as from in-season to off-season. He said that it can be surprisingly time consuming, between recruiting emails/phone calls, fundraising/events, and leadership meetings with the team. Some days are even spent traveling, as Byram said that he travels twice a year for large-scale tournaments in hopes of recruiting new teammates. He said that “no two days are certainly the same.” Byram also does compliance and transportation here at the college, which can bring up unexpected issues that need to be addressed in a timely manner.

When asked about his favorite part of his job, Byram had no hesitation in talking about the relationships he has formed over the years. He enjoys getting to know the players of the program, and seeing them grow and achieve their goals over their four years at Endicott. Byram mentioned that team trips play a large role in him getting to know his team better. The team has had many memorable moments, including their trip to Colorado and visiting Pikes Peak, as well as this past year’s trip to Los Angeles, California. He enjoys getting to know who his athletes are as people, outside of the volleyball scenario. He also noted his love for building such a strong team chemistry and environment. Byram said that a parent of a past player commented on how visibly the team chemistry evolves over the season. “By the time we come back out for playoff week, you can see that the team chemistry has evolved and everybody is locked in, and the bench is so engaged.” This team chemistry plays a large role in the shared success that Byram listed as one of his favorite things about coaching. While there are individuals who win awards for their success, Byram said that it is all about what the team can achieve together. At the end of every practice and game, the team goes around and compliments one person on something they did well that day. This not only helps build team chemistry, but encourages a welcoming environment. He added that every bit of success the team has is a collective effort, and everything he does is about seeing what the team can achieve.

When asked what makes him continue to want to be a coach, Byram talked about how much he loves seeing teammates embrace one another. He said he “thought it was going to be about winning championships, and about seven or eight years ago it wasn’t about that.” Byram enjoys watching his players get to live out their love for the sport. While the team’s multiple storm-the-court moments have been fond memories, Byram said the best part is knowing the collective team effort that went into reaching that goal.

With a love for coaching himself, Byram said how much he enjoys hearing that his players want to become coaches, whether it be at a high school, club, or college level. Effective communication, one of the pillars of the Endicott Women’s Volleyball Program, is what Byram said is the most important quality for aspiring coaches to have. Byram also said how important patience is when coaching, as things such as team chemistry cannot be forced. Byram urges future coaches to think about “being patient and having a vision for where you want it to go.” For aspiring coaches, Byram said to get involved. He said that there is only one way to get experience, and said volunteering and working camps/clinics can get an athlete a lot of experience in a short window. According to Byram, “there is only one way, just get experience.”

Team effort and success, which Byram said “takes a lot more teamwork than people think,” has helped his team flourish. He noted that while there are individual goals, he loves that every player gets to sign the Championship banner. “I think that when people buy into being great teammates and stuff like that, it just makes every single day more enjoyable.” Byram has worked hard to become a winning coach, and in the process has built a program that’s hard for players to leave behind. He commented on how exciting it is to have alumni come back and continue to engage with the team years and years after they graduate. He said that for them, it is not just about the games, but getting back to a place they once called home.

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