The Rockets (3-0) are the winners of the last three state titles and were undefeated against Kentucky schools during that span. But they needed five games last night to slip past archrival Sacred Heart 25-23, 28-26, 19-25, 23-25, 15-11 before a raucous standing-room-only crowd at Sacred Heart (3-2).

 

Rockets defeat Valkyries

 

I saw this in today's C-J and wondered:

 

Assumption is Kentucky's premier volleyball team. And why? Because kids want to play sports where they know people will come to watch and are interested in their success.

 

With all the ruckus about the public/private debate, Prop 20, Prop 2, recruiting, districts/open enrollment, etc....doesn't this have to be an even greater factor in having a successful sport or athletic program at a school?

 

Here are two girls teams, playing a sport that isn't basketball, football or baseball, and they have a standing room only crowd.

....And why? Because kids want to play sports where they know people will come to watch and are interested in their success. ....

Great question and I agree RM, student-athletes enjoy the competition but I believe they are also passionate about winning.

 

Most want the dedication, effort, sacrifice of personal time, training and commitment, to strive toward success. Kind of the fruit of the labor philosophy.

 

From a fans perspective, watching and supporting will be traditionally by parents/family and school but if the team is successful, then communities, alum, neighbors and new interest will be generated.

 

Poses an interesting question, to we just like to support a winner and if so, why?

Several studies have shown that girls do not play sports for the competition. They play it for the relationships that it builds.

 

They gave the example of pickup basketball.

 

Put 10 boys in a gym that don't know each other and they will be playing a game within 5 minutes and get to know each other while they are competing.

 

Put 10 girls in a gym that don't know each other and they will sit and talk for awhile before starting games.

 

Girls, according to the research, says that the competition is NOT the riding factor in whether they play or enjoy a sport.

 

Now, my opinion for most girls I think it is accurate. But you do get the rare girl, who revels in the competition and that is their first joy of sports.

It is a big factor . Ive only seen one standing room crowd at NCC and that was in 1997 when my nieces team played Notre Dame . It was a great atmosphere and it persuaded my daughter to play volleyball instead of soccer when she entered high school and I had been coaching her in soccer since she was 6 years old . She played volleyball through college and now helps coach NCC . A standing room only crowd can only help both programs . And the fact that the Rockets head coach owns OVVC and I believe runs KIVA doesn't hurt their program one bit . It only gives the other teams in the state a reason to try harder and to beat Mr Kordes ' teams . To be successful in volleyball you have to play or practice year round . As the JO parents know. Too bad Assumption won .

Several studies have shown that girls do not play sports for the competition. They play it for the relationships that it builds.

 

They gave the example of pickup basketball.

 

Put 10 boys in a gym that don't know each other and they will be playing a game within 5 minutes and get to know each other while they are competing.

 

Put 10 girls in a gym that don't know each other and they will sit and talk for awhile before starting games.

 

Girls, according to the research, says that the competition is NOT the riding factor in whether they play or enjoy a sport.

 

Now, my opinion for most girls I think it is accurate. But you do get the rare girl, who revels in the competition and that is their first joy of sports.

I think that for every study that proves a point there is another one that will prove the opposite .

Several studies have shown that girls do not play sports for the competition. They play it for the relationships that it builds.

 

They gave the example of pickup basketball.

 

Put 10 boys in a gym that don't know each other and they will be playing a game within 5 minutes and get to know each other while they are competing.

 

Put 10 girls in a gym that don't know each other and they will sit and talk for awhile before starting games.

 

Girls, according to the research, says that the competition is NOT the riding factor in whether they play or enjoy a sport.

 

Now, my opinion for most girls I think it is accurate. But you do get the rare girl, who revels in the competition and that is their first joy of sports.

 

I'm sorry, but I completely disagree. Maybe in the elementary/grade school years. But by the time they reach late middle school to high school, those kids have dropped out of it.

 

I know MANY girls as competitive or more, than MANY boys I know.

It is a big factor . Ive only seen one standing room crowd at NCC and that was in 1997 when my nieces team played Notre Dame . It was a great atmosphere and it persuaded my daughter to play volleyball instead of soccer when she entered high school and I had been coaching her in soccer since she was 6 years old . She played volleyball through college and now helps coach NCC . A standing room only crowd can only help both programs . And the fact that the Rockets head coach owns OVVC and I believe runs KIVA doesn't hurt their program one bit . It only gives the other teams in the state a reason to try harder and to beat Mr Kordes ' teams . To be successful in volleyball you have to play or practice year round . As the JO parents know. Too bad Assumption won .

 

 

Boo! Hiss! (I'm a former Rocket parent! )

Ncc played and won at Bellevue last night and Id bet we doubled up on their fans .

Boo! Hiss! (I'm a former Rocket parent! )

Im sure you are used to that by now . Did your daughter play there?

Im sure you are used to that by now . Did your daughter play there?

 

No...my daughter's a social butterfly, not an athlete.

Certainly, it's cyclical.

The players have to buy completely into a coach's philosophy.

The winning must follow after the kids have learned the system.

Then the support grows financially, general support, attendance, etc.

Then you have a winning program which attracts the more dedicated or serious athletes, garners more support from the community, and then you have a self-perpetuating successful program.

 

If the coach fails or changes, then the cycle may have to start over, if the new coach is not successful. If the athletes perceive there are problems developing, then they may stay away, not play or attend elsewhere.

 

When Trinity football was in a down period during the mid to late 90s, the fan support wasn't as strong. Same thing happened when UK was on probation in basketball, people did not fill up Rupp. So, in general, there is a group of hard core supporters. Then, there is a large group who are influenced by success on the playing field. Winning brings more people (dollars) and so it goes....

Certainly, it's cyclical.

The players have to buy completely into a coach's philosophy.

The winning must follow after the kids have learned the system.

Then the support grows financially, general support, attendance, etc.

Then you have a winning program which attracts the more dedicated or serious athletes, garners more support from the community, and then you have a self-perpetuating successful program.

 

If the coach fails or changes, then the cycle may have to start over, if the new coach is not successful. If the athletes perceive there are problems developing, then they may stay away, not play or attend elsewhere.

 

When Trinity football was in a down period during the mid to late 90s, the fan support wasn't as strong. Same thing happened when UK was on probation in basketball, people did not fill up Rupp. So, in general, there is a group of hard core supporters. Then, there is a large group who are influenced by success on the playing field. Winning brings more people (dollars) and so it goes....

Kordes must have a great coaching philosophy and also be an excellent salesman then.

I'm sorry, but I completely disagree. Maybe in the elementary/grade school years. But by the time they reach late middle school to high school, those kids have dropped out of it.

 

I know MANY girls as competitive or more, than MANY boys I know.

 

I agree with Rockmom. Girls can even be more competitive at times (and carry grudges against other competitors longer).

It is a big factor . Ive only seen one standing room crowd at NCC and that was in 1997 when my nieces team played Notre Dame . It was a great atmosphere and it persuaded my daughter to play volleyball instead of soccer when she entered high school and I had been coaching her in soccer since she was 6 years old . She played volleyball through college and now helps coach NCC . A standing room only crowd can only help both programs . And the fact that the Rockets head coach owns OVVC and I believe runs KIVA doesn't hurt their program one bit . It only gives the other teams in the state a reason to try harder and to beat Mr Kordes ' teams . To be successful in volleyball you have to play or practice year round . As the JO parents know. Too bad Assumption won .

 

 

And how are others supposed to compete with that

And how are others supposed to compete with that

 

Start a Volleyball facility....

Be a phenomenonal coach....

Surround yourself with phenomenonal staff....

 

He's an expert, no doubt.