IBSports Volleyball Magazine February 2025

Danielle Parker’s rise to the University of Mount Olive’s volleyball team didn’t happen overnight, and it certainly wasn’t without challenges. Although she didn’t immediately stand out as a star player, she worked hard and found her place. Her story is a powerful reminder that scholarships for college sports are available to athletes at many levels, even those who are unsure from the start. Like many athletes, Danielle Parker’s journey in volleyball started with uncertainty, a little family guidance, and a lot of hard work. Through dedication and perseverance, Danielle carved a path to success at the University of Mount Olive—and now she’s inspiring others to do the same. Danielle’s volleyball story started when she was just seven years old. Initially, soccer was her game of choice, but her parents noticed…

For a few years, I kept hearing about transfers and college sports and the creation/evolution/existence of “the portal”. The Transfer Portal permits athletes to change programs with limited restrictions, though still more restricted than normal college students on scholarship--and certainly more restricted than college coaches leaving for greener pastures. As a sports fans, I had mixed feelings--while it brought the team you root for talent, it means that most broadcasts spend inordinate time discussing athletes’ previous schools and rumors of future transfers. On top of this, when the games are not underway, there is a 24-7 discussion online of tampering behind the scenes by boosters and travel-ball coaches. I read the constant complaints by current coaches and the stories about the Portal driving experienced coaches into retirement. And then...I became…

Some of your athlete’s limitations are physical; BUT NOT ALL OF THEM. One of the biggest limitations holding them back is their fear; it’s a jail they’ve put themselves in. As a 2X Olympian and Mental Toughness Coach, I’ve worked with countless athletes, and the pattern is always the same: They don’t push beyond their limits because deep down, they are afraid. It’s easier to accept an average level of performance and settle into their cell, where it’s safe and predicatable. Here’s the thing - freedom is possible, breaking out of jail is doable. But it will take COURAGE. FEAR is an opportunity and COURAGE is a choice. In fact, without FEAR, there can be no COURAGE. Your athlete can CHOOSE to do something COURAGEOUS, even when they feel fear,…

As a former college coach, I often found myself standing on the sidelines, watching athletes pour their hearts and souls into the game. The intensity on the court was palpable, but what struck me even more was the passion that fueled their drive. It made me reflect on my own experiences and the deeper motivations that have guided me throughout my life—both in athletics and in faith. When I first stepped onto the coaching scene, I was driven by a desire to win. I wanted to build successful programs, see my athletes excel, and bring home trophies. But as the years went by, I realized that the pursuit of victory, while exhilarating, was only part of the equation. What truly fueled my drive was something much deeper: the opportunity to…