FORT WAYNE VOLLEYBALL CLUB TESTIMONIALS Dear Ft Wayne VBC family, I am writing this to express our thanks to FW VBC. It seems like yesterday when I called Tony to ask him if an athletic LITTLE ten year old could try out for the 12 yr old travel team.The next week we met Kent Mitchell, and Beth Howard's fate was sealed. From Kent to Coach Huls to Coach Terrell and Steve Florio, Beth always enjoyed the coaches at FW. They all have different styles and gifts. It is a great experience for athletes to play for so many different and talented coaches. All the wonderful memories that were made over the 8 years that Beth played for Fort Wayne will stay with us for a lifetime. We all made life long friends. I cannot emphasize enough how sports have shaped who Beth is today. FW had a lot to do with this. Today Beth is playing for IUPUI. She was prepared and ready for this challenge. She is doing great. I would highly recommend FWVBC to any athlete who wants to learn and play volleyball. They are THE BEST ! Sincerely, Deb Howard Tony, I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for all your hard work throughout this club season. The tournaments we attended were always top notch. I feel Megan grew as a player. The team dynamics were fantastic, and it was a pleasure being associated with FWVBC. Kathy Coffin (Dwenger HS) Hi Tony, Hope you and your family are having a great summer. I wanted to thank you for all your hard work with the 14-1 team and with Rachel this past season. There was a huge improvement in her level of play and in her confidence. She really enjoyed playing for you and on your team. Her dad and I were very pleased with the way you run your team as well. Thank you again!! Nicole Klitzing PS. She made varsity [Carroll HS] "My daughter got cut from her parochial school 7th grade team last year. They had 4 moms as coaches and only cut 2 girls of the 16 that tried out - my daughter being 1 of them. She was upset, thought her volleyball career was over, and asked me if I could find out if she had any alternatives to keep playing. I took Maddie to the tryouts and open courts you had. The first two times she was there I thought she was one of the worst players there, but she got better, and never missed a workout. one of the older coaches made an adjustment with her on her serve during this time, and things went well. She made one of the less skilled 13 teams, and while they did not have a great season in terms of wins & losses, Maddie learned a lot. This fall she transferred to a much larger public middle school southwest. They had over 40 girls try-out for 12 spots. Maddie made the team! She proved to them all that she could play the game, and your club must take a great deal of the credit for taking a kid who is very competitive and wants to play the game, and giving her a chance, and even more importantly, giving her the instruction." Subject: Great Clinic From: Parent To: Fort Wayne VBC Tony, I wanted to let you know what a great clinic you offered last night by bringing an outside trainer to the club. He presented a very educational, organized clinic. He was on time for all sessions, never rushed. Erika has been to camps from the West Coast to the Mid-West and this was one of the best ones, I really enjoyed watching. The bonus was you had a microphone on him so we all could learn the fundamentals of why and how it is done. I hope you can continue this going forward. Well done!!! Subject: Thank you From: Parent To: Fort Wayne VBC Hi Tony, I want to thank you and all of your coaches for the time and effort you all put into the 14’s try out sessions. I am sure you were all exhausted and I know you had the 12’s and 13’s going on at the same time as well as still have the high school level try outs starting now. I could not believe the number of talented girls trying out for the 14’s. It must have been hard to determine which girls made which teams. After being involved in FWVBC for two years it is easy to see why so many girls choose to try out for your club. You run a wonderful program!! Subject: Thanks From: Parent To: Fort Wayne VBC Dear Tony, I just want to say "thank you" for a great year of volleyball! We appreciate all the efforts from all the coaches and especially Adrienne Dircksen and Kent Mitchell. The time that they spend coaching, educating, encouraging these girls is much appreciated. It's not always easy I am sure but just know that it was a good experience.... We drive about an hour and we value FWVBC and the commitment to making these girls not only better athletes, but also teaching them good fundamentals and team leadership. Thank you again for a great year! Subject: Thanks From: Parent To: Fort Wayne VBC I think FWVBC is absolutely the best club in town. If anyone is serious about learning the sport of volleyball then I would get my child to this club as soon as possible. Through my experience (as a parent) I have really learned to appreciate the sport of volleyball. I like the sportsmanship and character issues which are reinforced at the club through the coaches. I have really enjoyed all of the coaches my kids have had and I hope that my daughter gets to have the same positive experience that her sister has had. I would highly recommend the extra sessions offered in the summer and "off-season" months. They are great small group settings to improve the fundamentals of volleyball. My daughter really appreciates the opportunity to be able to learn and participate with the older girls. The website is informative, the cost is reasonable. I do recommend this club to anyone wanting to improve and play volleyball. Subject: Thanks From: Parent To: Fort Wayne VBC Thank you for a great season of volleyball. (Player name) enjoyed the team and her coach so much. It was very good volleyball and tournament play. Thanks for all you do to keep all of us informed. The website is terrific. Have a great summer! Subject: 2008 Season From: Parent To: Fort Wayne VBC Since her start I would like to thank the club not only for the teaching part of volleyball but the sportsmanship and character building that comes with it. Since her first practice at the age of nine I have seen so much growth and development. It's truly hard to believe sometimes. Thank you Subject: Solid Program From: Parent To: Fort Wayne VBC The Fort Wayne VBC is a very well-built and competitive club. I feel for the most part, the coaches and staff of this club are very strong and knowledgeable. I have no desire to send my child to another club within the area. Subject: 2008 Season From: Parent To: ftwaynevbc@aol.com I think everything is organized well. You have the experience and it shows. I think you do a good job of informing parents of events. I like the pictures and tournament result information that you posted this year. Subject: Thanks From: Parent To: ftwaynevbc@aol.com My husband, daughter, and I just wanted to send you a note about our experience last weekend at what was our first volleyball tournament. We are new to club volleyball and were not sure what to expect last weekend. We wanted you to know that we had a great experience, and not because we left winners, but because we are just so impressed with our daughters' coach. The positive and enthusiastic environment, whether it is at practice or at the tournament is delightful! After the first 2 games were played at our tournament last Saturday, our daughter ran up to us and told us that the coach prayed (optional) with them prior to the game. She was thrilled and so were we! What a incredible role model for the children as well as a great coach. Thanks for the great experience Fort Wayne Volleyball Club. Respectfully, Parents and Player Subj: THANK YOU From: Parent To: ftwaynevbc@aol.com Just wanted to drop a line and say "THANKS" for the extra effort you put into the club. My 6th grade daughter played an entire season with the 8th grade team in the setter positon. I know this is due to the great coaching and emphasis you put on setting and passing during your extra sessions. Her coach, Kent Mitchell did a wonderful job with the team last year and made it fun for the girls, actually most of these players have attended your sessions. My daughter will not put the ball down around the house and we have to "contain" her from passing and setting against the walls! Parents have commented that her hands are better then most High School players. There was another girl (8th grader) from our daughters team that participated in your sessions as well, it was obvious the difference in skill level compared to the rest of the team. My oldest daugher (grade 10) also played the entire season on her High School Varsity team, as I've said before she has learned alot from FT. Wayne VBC and continues to grow as a player. We are looking forward to another great season of club ball for both my girls! Subj: Middle school volleyball From: Parent To: ftwaynevbc@aol.com Tony .... Thank you. She just got moved up to varsity (actually a few games ago). She is the only 7th grader playing varsity and other teams have actually even commented to her about how she plays. She learns SOOOO much when she comes to your sessions and I can tell during her games. It's amazing to see the growth of her abilities over the years. Her teammates all want to know where she plays and how she knows so much. She has been able to be a leader on the court-which is nice. I think she's bringing like 12 or 15 people over to FWVC based on what they see. That should speak a lot about the integrity and depth of the club. Thanks again for all your hard work with her and the other girls. It's extremely evident when a FWVC player is on the court during our matches versus other teams. From Players and Parents: Great club, very organized, well respected by all other clubs, high level of qualified coaches.... FWVBC Helps you in areas of your game both on and off the court. You are able to have fun, and meet new people.... The transition from one club to another was initially one where we hoped we made the right decision. After the first week of team practices and the open sessions at PC, we knew we had made the right decision. The instruction and overal total development was so much better then the previous club which in turn lead to an improved result on the court during pool play and tournament play.... I think that the club is run very well. Even being on a regional team I felt that my coach was extremely knowledgeable about the game of volleyball. The coaches are also all very nice and personable.... I continue to recommend the Club to many families. We were impressed with the facilities (both practice and tournaments) and organization of the Club (web site, directions, extra skill training sessions prior to and during the Club season).... Being that this was our first experience with any club volleyball, we had our reservations. Within a short period of time we saw our daughter's skill level increase beyond our expectations! We appreciate the way FWVB saw within her a talent that with the right coaching could really grow....Thanks so much for a great year! FWVBC keeps excellent updated information on its website for the player and parents. The club provides excellent facilities and knowledgeable coaches.... Club taught me many skills that I have learned.... The coach was great and helped each of us with the position on the court that we played. Overall I am prepared for the high school volleyball team.... Most of all, the skill level that my daughter gained in a 6 month period is amazing.... the coach did a great job of using every minute of a practice and/or or match to coach/teach the girls. He coached the girls on the bench as much as the girls on the court, using every opportunity to teach.... I like the rules and structure of the club. They are designed to protect everyone. I heard many bad experiences from friends and strangers from other clubs where team roster changes were made during the season and the negative effects it had on the original team members.... she loved her experience and I can't imagine her wanting to play for another club. I think the tournament schedule was much better this year. I also like the website and how organized everything is. It is a big help when you have several children in different sports or such, to have a consistent schedule and practice site all the time. I like the strong coaching.... Subj: volleyball season From: Parent To: ftwaynevbc@aol.com Just wanted to send a Thank you, and a Job Well Done. This was our first year with the Fort Wayne Volleyball Club, and it was a great experience. Coach John Zurcher and Coach John Minnick did a great job teaching and helping my daughter grow into being a better volleyball player. I think that having the 15 Blue and 15 Black practicing together was a great way for the girls to improve and get more out of the practices. Thanks again, and see you next season. Julie Farver Subject: Thanks From: Parent To: FTWAYNEVBC@aol.com Dear Tony: After being at the training session tonight I just had to write.....We can really see the difference with your time investment in the Club this year. All the extras on the web site have been great. I didn't even notice them until half way through the summer because there had not been much until fall last year. It is especially nice to have these extra training sessions to keep us from going into volleyball withdrawal during this interim between school ball and club getting started.....It is amazing how much they (our two daughters) have learned over the last two years in club. We can tell at all of their matches which girls play for club. They are the stand out players at every school we play. We are really looking forward to this season, especially for the 14 year old group. There are so many strong players....and so many of the girls really click well together. Thanks for all the extra features on the web site and the training sessions. It is great to see the program continue to improve. Keep it up! Parent ..... As a parent, I greatly appreciated the positive way everyone interacted with the girls. I loved the way the coaches made learning volleyball skills fun. The girls didn't even realize that the "games" they played increased their skill! I have recommended this program to everyone I know who has a daughter that loves volleyball. Thanks for a club that is just awesome! Parent 10-under program Subject: Fort Wayne Volleyball Club From: Parent To: ftwaynevbc@aol.com ....I truely feel Tessas participation in FWVC last season gave her the skills to be one of 3 freshmen who played JV and who were moved up to Varsity for the sectionals. Hats off to Kent and Dave for great teaching skills and yourself for a well run program. We look forward to another great season watching Tessa ..... and this year we also enrolled our youngest daughter Tawni, so we will be pulling "double duty." Thanks again. Parent Hi Tony, I just wanted to say thank you again for your help and support with the IPFW Volleyball Program! They are having a great season so far and the great fan support at the Ball State Match was awesome. We achieved our largest crowd ever at a volleyball match with 914 fans! We are hoping to continue this great support and love having young players come watch. From what I have heard from the teams and players that have made it to matches, they have really enjoyed it and thought it was a great experience watching the level of play that IPFW is at. We would like to continue offering to your players the chance to come to the matches with complimentary tickets. I re-made the web flyer updated with the October matches coming up on it if you would like to repost this on the website. The next matches will be Saturday the 15th, Sunday the 16th, and Tuesday the 18th. Hopefully we can get a few more club players out to the matches! Thanks again! Kirsta Solberg IPFW Athletic Marketing Tony- .....the opportunity we offer is unique- a small school in a suburban setting where your athletes will have the chance to tap the resources of a large city like Milwaukee. Perhaps the best selling point is the fact that our students are very happy here, and are enjoying the total college experience that Stritch offers. I look forward to building a positive and professional relationship with you and your program. I hope to be one of the schools that your athletes consider as they begin to make choices regarding their future. The expectations for our student-athletes are high. We had three NAIA Region VII Academic All-Americans last year. We are looking for 20 wins in the next two years and being able to compete with the best in the nation by 2010. With the help of quality athletes that you have in your program, I’m sure we can meet our goals. Sincerely, Eric Poppelman Head Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Coach Cardinal Stritch University Tony: This message may miss you as you have probably already left for Salt Lake, but the staff at Molten wanted to congratulate your club and the teams that qualified for JO’s this year. So congratulations to yourself, your coaches and most of all your players and parents for all of their hard work and dedication this club season. We wish you the best of luck in your matches this week and also a happy and safe 4th of July!! Jeff Keyes Molten USA www.moltenusa.com This is Scott Jones, Head Volleyball coach at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville Tennessee. I had an opportunity to see your team play at the MEQ and I was impressed with your players. I am looking to complete our roster for upcoming season and I am interested in talking with you about some of the Fort Wayne Volleyball Club players. After seeing your team play, I believe your players have the ability to contribute to the success of our team. I am very interested in exploring the possibilities and I would like to find out if your players are still available and how to contact them regarding the opportunities. Scott Jones, Head Volleyball Coach Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, Tennessee Fort Wayne Volleyball Club Attn: Tony Terrell P.O. Box 5754 Ft Wayne, IN 46895 Dear Tony, Hello from Minnesota Volleyball!! For years, you and your volleyball program have done a fabulous job of training young athletees and preparing them for the rigors of college volleyball. We have been very impressed with the level of athletes and the high level of skill which your athletes possess. Minnesota Volleyball will always make a special effort at club tournaments to go watch teams from your club. This speaks tremendously for your program and your coaches.... We wish you and your teams the best of luck....we look forward to seeing you on the road after February 18th. Sincerely, Dr. Mike Herbert Head Volleyball Coach University of Minnesota 2004 National Runner-UP 2003 Final Four Appearance 2002 Big Ten Champions Subject: RE: web site From: Parent Thanks for adding the "updated" heading to the web site. It really is helpful to those of us who, as I admitted, are addicted to the web site.... I am sure that we have read all the various sections of history and everything else many times. It has really been exciting to become involved with this sport and certainly appreciate that our daughter's coach suggested we join the club last year. This year we have two daughters involved. I think your program here is incredibly well organized and you have an excellent job of setting good limits in terms of what you expect from parents and players.... Our daughter now carries a volleyball around the house 12 months out of the year, we play in our yard all summer, we take it with us and play on vacation, etc. We were hoping to get practice started in December and start tournaments in January. I realize that we are the exceptions on that point most likely but I tell you that so you know there are those out here who really appreciate the quality of the program you have developed and thoroughly enjoy every opportunity that you afford these girls. Thanks again for all you do. Parent Subj: Volleyball From: College coach Hi. My name is Kristy Kale. I am the new head coach at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR. I was a former assistant at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI, so I am familiar with the strong volleyball talent in the state of Indiana. I am also familiar with the great reputation FW Volleyball Club has for producing strong players. I was wondering if I could have the roster and contact info for your Fort Wayne Kaepa 17 Blue team. I am looking for players who can make an immediate impact. Thanks, Kristy Kale Head Volleyball Coach Arkansas Tech University Subj: What a great year! From: Parent I just wanted to say thank you for providing such a great avenue for young girls to be exposed to higher levels of volleyball competition. It was so much fun watching the girls and my daughter on the 13black team improve in their skills over the course of the season. You truly have a wonderful program and staff that you can be very proud of. Thank you again, and I look forward to next year! June M. Grau Vice President/CFO Farmers & Merchants Bank Subj: Volleyball teams From: Parent Mr. Terrell, .....I can't believe it's that time of year again! These seasons go by so quickly. Thank you for running such a wonderful program. My daughter, Amanda really advanced by being able to play in club last year. We have had parents comment to us about what a great volleyball player she is, and we feel that it was your program that helped her. We look forward to another year! Thank you, Parent Subj: Email From: Parent Your website is excellent! My daughter was with FWVC for 4 or 5 years and last year went with **** club - what a mistake! This year she plans to try out for FWVC. One of the things we like the most is the website - it's very informative - everything you would need is on it. I even had to rely on it last year because **** club never gave us directions to playing sites - of course, your site had what I needed. You are a very well organized club. Keep up the good work. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed! Parent Subj: Email From: Former Player Hello Tony, I just got your email address from Cathy Barnett and thought that I would email you to say hello and to say thank you. I have just started coaching and thought that I would thank you for all your help when I played for Fort Wayne. You really made me a better player and gave me the skills I needed to succeed in college. So thank you again. I am going to be the Varsity Volleyball coach for Troy High School in Ohio. And I can only hope that with all the training as a player that I received from Club, High school and College that I will be a good coach. Just thought that I would let you know what I have been up to and to say thank you once again. Former Player Subj: Email From: Parent Tony, I just wanted to thank you, once again, for FWVBC and the superior training you offer. Kate is just one example of the athletes your successful program generates. You took a young and inexperienced volleyball player and turned her into a Division I college player! Yes, it's true... Kate (all 5' 6" of her) made The George Washington University Volleyball team as setter. The coaches told her they liked her aggressiveness and needed her enthusiasm and energy on the court. FWVBC's reputation for producing well-trained and tough players was a definite advantage for Kate. It seems Amy Bambenek, the GWU assistant coach, thought very highly of FWVBC after coaching Jamie Hibbard and Kristin Frye at Florida State for 3 years. You and your coaching staff have our gratitude and appreciation for helping Kate to achieve her goal of playing Division I volleyball. Thanks again! Fondly, Jeff and Nadine Bolduan Subj: Just a Note! From: Player Hi Tony, I am writing to offer my gratitude for the two years I participated in your volleyball club. When I came up to tryouts after my sophomore year I was so intimidated, but I am so glad I stuck with it. I grew so much as a player that season. Then the following club season I was more at ease and I think without that season in Ft. Wayne I would not have been as successful as I was my senior year at Southwood. I was never one of the premier players for Ft. Wayne, but the lessons I learned in those two years are invaluable. In fact I have signed to play college volleyball at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I just wanted to express my gratitude to you for developing this program and to my coaches Lisa Morlan and Hector Keily for teaching so much and to my teammates for becoming my friends. It was so awesome to go down to see Erica Ringger at Regionals and then to go down to State and see Jenae and Angie and Lindsey and Jodie play for a State Championship. My involvement in your program made it possible for me to help my high school team contend for a State Championship in Class 2A. I keep track of the happenings on the web site and am looking forward to seeing my former teammates play in the Nationals in July. I'll be there cheering you guys on. Good luck with the rest of the season. And thanks so much for the opportunity to play for such an elite program. I am certain that I would not be the player I am today without having participated in the Ft. Wayne Volleyball Club. God Bless, Megan Garner Southwood High School. Dear Tony- I hope this note find you eagerly anticipating an outstanding junior's season and a wonderful holiday break. My Christmas present at Washington University was the strong finish to my first year here with the BEARS winning 24 of our last 27 matches. The BEARS have captured seven NCAA titles on the way to becoming the most storied program in NCAA III history, and I have a strong feeling that there are more national championships on the horizon. We'd be excited to have the premier players in your club consider Washington University to help us maintain our rich tradition. We would always be interested in speaking with the elite players who are still pondering their options... Rich Luenemann Head Volleyball Coach Subj: Volleyball ....If you are going to play club volleyball you should play for the Fort Wayne Volleyball Club. Arnie Ball Head Men's Volleyball Coach Indiana-Purdue University at Fort Wayne Subj: Volleyball From: Head College Coach ....We have identified your club as one of the top Junior Olympic programs in the country. We are looking to build relationships with many of the top clubs and look forward to recruiting players from your club. If there is anything that we can do for you, please do not hesitate to call or email. Good luck with the remainder of your season. We look forward to seeing your teams this spring. Sincerely, Joylynn Tracy Head Coach Wright State University Subj: THANKS! From: Parent Just want to thank you all for your help in Erica getting a Division 1 volleyball scholarship! Our family is thanking the Lord first, because He gave Erica this talent and guided her path. We thank FWVC because without it, Erica would have had no chance! Thanks to Gary, who took a big gamble when he picked Erica to be on a travel team when she was 12 and knew NOTHING about the game! Thanks to Tony for being patient with us through the beginning years, esp. when we really didn't even want to do travel! Thanks to Rich who was the biggest coaching influence in Erica's volleyball confidence and growth as a player, and who really stuck by her through this past year--her injury, rehab, and back on the court. Don't know if you know much about Western Ky., but we really feel it is a great fit for Erica. Jenni Miller, Snider grad (and Ft Wayne Volleyball Club alumni), was another big influence on Erica, and she loves it there. From when Travis Hudson saw Erica at the Univ. of Illinois camp, it seemed the "right" match! We'll be seeing you on the volleyball courts, Thanks again, Parent From: Club Parent Tony, Please delete us from your mailing list as we have moved to Iowa. Thank you for your instruction last club season. Our daughter plans to continue volleyball here and we feel certain she got off to a good start in Fort Wayne. Many thanks!!! Sincerely, Parent Subj: FORT WAYNE VOLLEYBALL CLUB From: CLUB PARENT Hi Mr. Terrell! Kate and I hope you are having a relaxing and well deserved summer vacation. After being involved with your v-ball club this past season I want to express my appreciation and gratitude for offering such a superior program to young girls in northern Indiana. Kate had been on two different club teams before playing with your club and I can state without reservation your program is the finest of them all. I enjoyed the genuine friendliness and warm hospitality I experienced throughout your club organization...starting with your parents and their travel directions to try-outs at Park Center, continuing with your caring hands-on coaching staff and the marvelous accepting attitude of the team members to "the new player", and concluding with some of the nicest parents I have the pleasure to call my friends! I really can't thank you enough for providing the leadership which promotes such a positive experience for all who are involved . Kate loved every minute of it and believe it or not is already talking next season. She has developed quite a great friendship with her team mates and has gotten together with them a number of times already this summer. Thanks again for all your hard work, long hours and effort in providing the best volleyball experience around. Nadine Bolduan and Kate From: Club Parent Just wanted you to know that Chrissy was accepted into Indiana Academy/Muncie Burris Laboratory high school. I sent a tape to Steve Shondell of Chrissy playing last year with her FWVB club team - excerpts from three tournaments.....Shondell said "I would like to see her this coming season become more agressive in the backcourt and she is going to develop more velocity on her attack. She moves well and her fundamentals appear to be very solid. Her previous coaches have given her some fine training." Those last two sentences are the real reason I am sending this note to you. After being with your club for several years and the excellent coaching she has received, I wanted to point this out because I think it is a real compliment to what she learned with your organization. Now she can keep playing volleyball within an excellent volleyball program............ Thanks alot for everything. Debbie Hursh Subj: East Coast Reflections From: Howard Vernick Dear Tony, I am the coach for the Court Authority Ladyhawkes volleyball club. I want to thank you for a great match on Monday in the quarters at Penn State's East Coast Championships. We knew we would have to face you sooner or later. We wish it had been in the finals but we had an unfortunate loss on Sunday. Congratulations for taking your team all the way. You have an outstanding squad of players.......I admire the discipline that is evident within your club. We are striving for a similar level of seriousness in our club........The midwest is very strong in girls volleyball. I am from the Chicago area and am very familiar with places like Sports Performance, Ft. Wayne, Northern Lights, etc. I wish you well at Nationals. I see you are playing in Open division. We too are going to Nationals since we finished first in the Keystone Region. Hope to see you in the finals next year. I'll be coaching the same team at 15s. You've given us a clear goal to shoot for. God bless, Howard Vernick Director Court Authority VC Subj: Recruiting From: Glenn Kiriyama Tony, I'm the new head coach at Binghamton University in New York. We are currently a Division II team moving up to Division I in two years. I have been at Eastern Illinois University the past four years so I am familiar with the outstanding athletes that come out of the Ft. Wayne Club. I am trying to get the addresses of some of your players. Any information you could provide would be great. Sincerely, Glenn Kiriyama Head Volleyball Coach Binghamton University