Boddy Receives AVCA Coaches Scholarship

The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) has named UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball student assistant coach Tyler Boddy as one of its eight recipients of the 2010 Coaches 4 Coaches Scholarship. Thanks to a scholarship fund supplied by AVCA member coaches, these eight college students, who are active AVCA members through the Student Membership initiative, will have the opportunity to attend the 2010 AVCA Convention in Kansas City, Mo.

In addition to Boddy, other winners of the Coaches 4 Coaches Scholarship were Krysten Becker of the University of St. Francis (Ill.), Rebecca Bloemer of Wingate University (N.C.), Charlie Buzogany of Appalachian State University (N.C.), Samantha Fish of Bowling Green State University (Ohio), Jenna Ness of Luther College (Iowa), Lisa Pierce of Purdue University (Ind.) and Stephanie Strauss of Juniata College (Pa.).

"The Coaches 4 Coaches committee is extremely excited about this year's scholarship recipients, said Jaime Gordon, head women's volleyball coach at Morehead State University (Ky.), and chair of the AVCA Coaches 4 Coaches Committee. "The selection process was tremendously difficult considering the overwhelming talent that we had in the applicant pool. After a lot of time and deliberation, the committee feels that it has selected eight exceptional young coaches to attend the 2010 AVCA Convention and represent the Coaches 4 Coaches initiative with great passion and energy."

Boddy, who spent one season as an assistant women's volleyball coach at Ripon College, is a first-year student assistant coach with the Titans. The senior mathematics major is a member of UW-Oshkosh's men's collegiate club team. In 2009, Boddy helped UW-Oshkosh to a Division I collegiate club second-place national finish. In 2010, Boddy was a first-team selection in both the Midwest Ten Conference and Wisconsin Volleyball Conference first-team. Captain of the 2010-2011 squad, Boddy has helped the Titans to Midwest Ten Conference and Wisconsin Volleyball Conference titles each of the three years he has been on the team.

"I have been a collegiate assistant volleyball coach for two years and have been lucky enough to gain experience from many coaches around the nation." said Boddy. "In the last four summers I have assisted at numerous camps with some of the greatest coaches in the region. Being able to learn about their philosophies and how they run a successful program has been exceptionally valuable for me as a young coach. Networking with these coaches and experiencing their programs is exactly what has intrigued me to want to pursue this profession."

The AVCA Student Membership and Coaches 4 Coaches Scholarship programs, now in their second year of existence, were conceived as ways to engage college students who are interested in pursuing volleyball coaching positions post-graduation, and give them a head start on their coaching career. In its inaugural year, six students were awarded scholarships to attend the AVCA Convention, and the program expanded in 2010, adding two additional scholarships to deserving students.

"Volleyball has consumed my life as long as I have known." added Boddy "I grew up playing with my parents and sister, and volleyball grew into a great passion. Unfortunately, growing up in Minnesota there was no high school boy's volleyball and very few club teams. That being said I have never truly been coached until I came to UW-Oshkosh. So I believe I would have to say my biggest influence would be my family. I would not be where I am today if it was not for them. I was the typical gym rat at my parents and sister's tournaments always watching and getting to play along with them. I was taught the basic fundamentals out in our backyard by my family. I learned really quickly what not to do when I would have to take a lap around the house if I messed up. Fortunately, as soon as I came to UW-Oshkosh I was influenced immediately by my head coach, Brian Schaefer. I am privileged enough to help him out with camps and assisting the UW-Oshkosh women's team."

Scholarship recipients attending the AVCA Convention will have the opportunity to interact with other coaches who have had success at all levels, and explore the limitless networking and educational opportunities available at Convention that make this an annual can't-miss event for volleyball coaches at all levels.

"Tyler is very deserving of this award." said UW-Oshkosh head women's volleyball coach Brian Schaefer. "He has a bright future in coaching and I know that this will be a great opportunity for him to network with the best coaches in our profession. He is a tremendous young man and I'm pleased that he will get this opportunity to advance his career."

Boddy is a native of New Ulm, Minn.