3 minute read
Volleyball Coach Awarded AVCA Scholarship
If you know anything about MAC Volleyball, chances are, you know of Coach Nicholas Costello — or “Coach Nick.” Costello has been with MAC Volleyball since 2021 and has been coaching MAC Volleyball high school teams since. He is also one of the most requested coaches for private volleyball lessons at the club, and for good reason. His knowledge of the sport, combined with his passion for seeing young athletes develop and succeed, makes him a huge asset for MAC Volleyball.
But his passion for volleyball and youth sports hasn’t stopped there. Earlier this year, Costello was awarded a spot on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for Columbia Empire Volleyball Association (CEVA). CEVA is one of the regional governing bodies of club volleyball in Oregon and Washington and is one of 40 regions in the country. By being a part of this initiative in the region, Coach Nick is literally a part of the process in making sure that athletes feel seen and heard and have access to competitive sports across the region.
“To be involved in DEI initiatives means to help promote an inclusive environment for players and families of underrepresented communities. Having a diverse representation in leadership is important to help be a voice for those communities,” Costello says. “I strive to actively and intentionally create a welcoming environment where everyone feels they have a supportive space to learn and grow in any program I’m a part of.”
After being involved with CEVA’s DEI program, Costello discovered an opportunity to apply for this year’s American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Diversity Award. This grant allows coaches from all over the country to attend the convention’s coaching development program at the AVCA Convention in Tampa, Florida. Out of hundreds of candidates, Costello was one of 20 coaches that was chosen for the award and a grant to attend the convention. When asked what he was hoping to take away from this opportunity to attend such a prestigious event for coaches, he said: “I’m hoping to learn how to build a better team culture to where players can feel real improvement through their playing career, [as well as] how to help our athletes become true leaders on and off the court, and how to build a competitive team environment that has aspirations to bid for national championships.”
In addition to being involved with CEVA, Costello also coaches volleyball at Beaverton High School and will return to MAC Volleyball for the upcoming 2023-24 club season. MAC is lucky to have Coach Nick and is excited to see where these exciting opportunities take him this season and beyond!
