COLORADO COACH- WINTER 2018 FROM THE SPORT PRESIDENTS season, I knew as a coach that this year would be difficult for our team if we didn’t have someone to fill these roles. We lost two outstanding players last year to graduation that fit this description. I am beginning to realize how very special these players are and how hard they are to replace. I have started to reflect on my past years of coaching and how I identified these players and what they really meant for our team. What I am realizing is that the best role players that I have coached are the ones that I did not need to have that conversation with. They are the ones who love the game, want to be a part of the team and listen to every word that you say as a coach as if it is the gospel. They are the ones that make it their personal mission to carry a team and do anything it takes to help a team be successful. The importance of their place on the team is often not rewarded in any way whatsoever. These efforts may get an occasional “good job”, a pat on the back or a thank you, but often they are not treated with the importance that they deserve. I challenge coaches to take a close look and find these players in your program and reward their efforts, really make a big deal out of it and watch other players grow exponentially; everyone will want that type of praise and do the extra to receive it. Now for the negatives- technical fouls and player ejections. As reported in an email from Mr. Bert Borgmann as of January 2 there were 197 reports of technical fouls given with 2 coach ejections and 17 player ejections. Coach ejections were down year to date but player ejections were up by seven. I am curious to know the rate of ejections according to gender. I have had the opportunity to ask many officials their opinion on the issue and I have heard some interesting comments. Most do not feel that players have changed as far as kids are still kids and make mistakes. Many seasoned officials (10 years or more officiating) feel that it may be a learning curve as the profession has many new officials. Most officials feel that players are a reflection of their coach and the culture that the program accepts. Seasoned officials seem more available to communicate with coaches and players. They also seem less likely to seek confrontation. I have come to the conclusion that regardless of a coach’s opinion or an official’s opinion we will always have our point of view and rarely does it see eye to eye. We as coaches do have a great opportunity and responsibility to our team and our student athletes. We need to be the example and set a culture in our programs that is above reproach when it comes to the respect of officials. I believe that when we do that these reports will go down drastically. I would also like to see a requirement that players have to do a sportsmanship class just as coaches do before they are allowed to return to play as to use this as a teachable moment and be part of the educational process. Gods speed to all as the playoffs quickly approach. Note: I would like to hear how coaches around the state handle player technical fouls and ejections in their programs. Do you have guidelines in place? (erik.melgoza@lamarschools.org ) VOLLEYBALL President Larry Deffenbaugh Greetings Colorado Volleyball Coaches! 2018 was another very exciting volleyball season! A FANTASTIC SEASON OF INTENSE AND HIGH ENERGY VOLLEYBALL at the District, Regional and State Level! Congratulations to all of our state qualifiers and to our State Champions! Here are our 2018 State Champions: Class 5A - Castle View / Coach Scott Dowis Class 4A – Lewis-Palmer / Coach Wade Baxter Class 3A – Eaton / Coach Gwen Forster Class 2A – Lyons / Coach Mason Johnson Class 1A – Kit Carson / Coach Penny Isenbart Our 2018 Fall CHSCA Award Winners selected by the CHSCA Volleyball Coaches are very deserving. Congratulations to these fine coaches that set a positive example for our student athletes: Horizon Award Winner: Doug Kamery / Fleming Pioneer Award Winner: Lisa Schumacher / Sterling 2018 Summer CHSCA All-State Games will be held at Adams State University ! What a wonderful venue to showcase our athletes in a variety of sports from all across the