Club Volleyball

More Than the Final Score

By Coach Hutch*

What the long drives, hard losses, and shared memories of youth sports can teach our children—and us.

Watching the Last Game

Several years ago, my wife and I traveled to the beautiful campus of Berry College in Rome, Georgia, to watch one of our daughters play in the Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament. It was our first time attending the end-of-season tournament, and we especially wanted to be there as she finished her collegiate volleyball career.

As we watched her play, memories from the beginning of her athletic journey came rushing back: T-ball, softball, basketball, school sports, club volleyball, and finally collegiate volleyball as a scholarship player. I thought about the miles, the expense, the heartaches, and the joys. I remembered learning never to wear a white shirt to a dusty softball tournament! Most of all, I thought about the people we met, the friendships we formed, and the road trips we shared. I would not trade those experiences for anything.

“What Was the Point?”

After her team lost its semifinal match, our daughter said, “Is that all there is? All the money you spent and all the miles you traveled—it was all for nothing.” I knew those words came from the emotion of playing her final collegiate match, but they stayed with me. Why do parents willingly invest so much time, money, and energy—and ride such an emotional roller coaster?

I understand that moment from both sides. As a former player, I remember putting on my gear for the last time and knowing that a meaningful chapter was ending. As a dad, I have also had the joy—alongside my amazing wife—of watching our three daughters grow through soccer, softball, basketball, and volleyball.

The Gifts Beyond the Game

Those experiences have taught me that sports must be about more than skills, wins, or scholarships. If my only goal as a coach is to teach athletes how to pass, set, hit, and block, then my purpose is too small. If parents focus only on a scholarship, they may miss the greatest gifts sports can offer.

Volleyball can help a child grow as a person. It teaches teamwork, humility, responsibility, and service. No one player can do everything: someone passes, someone sets, and someone attacks. Every athlete depends on the others, so teammates learn to support one another and put the team ahead of individual recognition.

Losses have lessons, too. Blaming others can quickly pull a team apart. I have watched talented teams struggle when players—and sometimes parents—became more focused on individual success than on the good of the team. When winning or earning a scholarship becomes the only goal, what remains after the final whistle?

Where Lasting Worth Is Found

For our family, the answer is grounded in faith. Our daughters have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, so we know their lives are about far more than any sport. I reminded our daughter that volleyball does not define her. It is something she has done and loved, but it cannot determine her worth or meet every need. We believe that lasting fulfillment comes from the Lord.

A Note to Parents

Parents, I encourage you to enter the world of volleyball not only for the game, but also for the life lessons, friendships, family memories, and personal growth that come with it. Every person on the court matters, and every child has a role. You may find that you gain nearly as much from the journey as your child does. And one last piece of advice: take plenty of pictures. Your daughter may be embarrassed now, but one day she will be glad you did!

*Steve Hutcheson, known as Coach Hutch, is a long-time coach who has seen a lot in his over 50 years of involvement in the sport of volleyball – as a player, parent and coach.   He has coached 50 teams and has touched the lives of close to 2,000 players as their private lessons coach, camp coach and/or team coach.