Giving Back to the Community

Jacob Pumphrey Director of Athletic Communications

With its intercollegiate fall season control of that schedule. They had practice postponed and shifted into a shortened at random times, one of them on Saturday slate to be played out in the spring of 2021, mornings. What college student voluntarily the Southern Arkansas Women’s Volleyball gives up their Saturday mornings without program, like many programs around the being asked?” questioned Parks. She answered, country, found itself with a little extra time “The kind that love giving back to the future on their hands as well as a longing for the generation. It warmed my heart every time I competition that they are accustomed to heard them talking about their teams, and I am during the fall season. However, it wouldn’t be so thankful they were able to give back in this long before head coach Lindsey Parks’ squad small way.” began to give the game of volleyball back to Some would contend with Parks that it the Magnolia community. was far from small in the way in which her

“To see our volleyball team’s commitment team gave back to the local community. Chris to growing the sport of volleyball in Magnolia Ludwig, Magnolia B&GC Director of Sports was remarkable,” noted and Facilities and proud SAU Director of Athletics Mulerider supporter, Steve Browning. “Their witnessed firsthand the engagement, from impact the Muleriders coaching, to encouraging, had on the league. to just being a smiling “When the SAU face to those young Volleyball Team agreed ladies created memories to coach our fall league that will last a lifetime. this past year we were The mark they made on beyond excited,” noted volleyball at the Boys and Ludwig. “We knew they Girls Club of Magnolia would bring the ability will carry on for years to to teach valuable skills to come.” “We needed four Contributed Photo SAU senior volleyball players Morgan Gross (left) and Lauren Smith (right) give instruction the girls going forward; however, we couldn’t have volunteers for the four to their team prior to playing a match at the ever imagined the passion teams and when I first Magnolia Boys & Girls Club. and the drive that they asked in our group text brought out as well.” to see if anyone was interested, I was honestly Ludwig praised the team for instilling expecting only a few people and thought that a new love for the game of volleyball in [Graduate Assistant Volleyball Coach] Bree players that had never played before, while Davis and I would probably end up coaching also preparing the older, more experienced a team or two,” Parks stated. “In only ten players with tools to help them expand their minutes I had nine volunteers, and others who game. were in class at the time were somewhat upset He added, “It was rewarding for me to they missed the initial opportunity.” see girls come to love the game and improve

Eleven of Parks’ 16 players volunteered their throughout the season, but also to see the time at one point or another at the Magnolia parents’ excitement grow during the season B&GC this past fall scheduling their own as they watched the games being played. We practices, coaching in the weekly games, and can’t thank Coach Parks enough for allowing most importantly being a positive influence the team to be involved and are hoping we on the young girls in grades 1st through 6th. can continue their involvement in our B&GC

“Our young ladies were completely in volleyball program.”

“My biggest takeaway from the whole experience is definitely a refreshed perspective! Working with girls who are brand new to the game reminded me of all of the reasons that I fell in love with this game so many years ago. It’s so easy to get caught up in the intricacies and competitiveness of high level volleyball, and it was really nice to kind of reset and remember all of the things that built me and got me to this point!”

Morgan Gross

Senior Engineering/Physics; Chemical Engineering Bandera, Texas

“Being fresh out of high school, I was constantly playing volleyball. Between school and travel ball I was always on a court and with the season being postponed, I felt confused as to how to spend a majority of my time. Thankfully we were able to stay involved through coaching - it kept my craving for competition in check. I love watching the game grow whether it be in my team or the younger generation. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.” Truli Bates

Freshman Social Studies Education with Coaching Endorsement Bryant, Arkansas