|
|
Post by roofed! on May 17, 2007 15:21:31 GMT -5
According to USC release:
[ftp]http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/051607aab.html[/ftp]
USA Volleyball has also announced that former USC player Sue Woodstra has been named as assistant coach for the U.S. Women's National Team and will coach for Team USA in the 2008 Olympics in China. Woodstra, who was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame last September, will resume her head coaching position at Humboldt State at the conclusion of the Olympics.
Woodstra led USC as an outside hitter to the 1977 AIAW Championship, earning All-America status in the process for coach Chuck Erbe. The Colton, Calif. native also was the captain for the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team, which earned the silver medal in Los Angeles. She was selected as a USVBA All-Time Great in 1993 and was recently named to the USAV All-Era Team.
|
|
|
|
Post by roofed! on May 17, 2007 15:22:55 GMT -5
USAV's release:
[ftp]http://www.usavolleyball.org/VolleyballNews/news.asp?id=1573[/ftp]
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 14, 2007) – USA Volleyball announced today the hiring of former Olympian Sue Woodstra as an assistant coach for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team. She will begin her duties with Team USA on June 1 and will continue in that role through the 2008 Olympics.
“Sue has a lot of knowledge and all-around skills, both as a player and coach, to impart to our national team players as we work toward Olympic qualification in 2007,” U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach ‘Jenny’ Lang Ping said. “The next two years are very important for us, and she will be great in training our players.”
Woodstra has spent the past five seasons as the head women’s volleyball coach at Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif. She will return as head coach of the Humboldt State volleyball program in 2008 after the Olympics. In the meantime, Humboldt Assistant Coach James Kealalio will continue working with the program in Woodstra’s absence.
“I am extremely honored to be in this position with the support of Humboldt State University and USA Volleyball,” Woodstra stated. “Working with Jenny has a lot to do with my acceptance of this position. I have always loved the international level, having played in the Olympics and coaching national youth teams in international competitions. It is very exciting to get back to this level through the national team program.”
“It’s an incredible honor for Coach Woodstra to be chosen for this position,” Humboldt State Director of Athletics Dan Collen said. “It’s a great opportunity for her personally and professionally, and also reflects well on our department and Humboldt State University.”
Woodstra’s 12-year college coaching career includes head coaching stints at University of Pittsburgh (1989-92) and University of California-Berkeley (1995-98). She mentored Pittsburgh to four consecutive conference championships and NCAA appearances for the Panthers. During that time, she earned Big East Coach of the Year honors in 1990. After Pittsburgh, Woodstra spent a year coaching internationally at the professional level in Germany, guiding the USC Munster team to a 28-4 record and the C.E.V. European Cup Championship in 1993.
“Sue has a college coaching background, and that is something our national team players can relate to from their own past college playing experiences,” said USA Volleyball Women’s Technical Coordinator Diane French, who was on the U.S. Women’s Olympic Team in 1980 with Woodstra. “Sue is a student of the game, a teacher of the game. Personally, I am thrilled that she has accepted this opportunity. To have another coach of her stature and background can only help the team.”
Last summer, Woodstra served as an assistant coach on the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team that won the 2006 NORCECA Girls’ Youth Continental Championship in Gainesville, Fla. The victory qualified the U.S. for the FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship that will take place Aug. 2-12, 2007, in Mexico.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to be able to add Sue Woodstra to our women’s national team staff as we prepare for Olympic qualification and participation,” USA Volleyball Chief Executive Officer Doug Beal said. “Sue is absolutely one of the greats in USA Volleyball history and has shown a remarkable ability to pass on her skills, dedication and passion to the athletes she works with. I am excited by what she can add to our staff, team and program. I am also grateful to Humboldt State for granting Sue a leave of absence to work with the national team through the Olympics.”
Woodstra brings additional Olympic playing experience to the U.S. Women’s National Team coaching staff that already boasts gold medalist Lang Ping. Woodstra is a two-time member of U.S. Olympic Teams in the early 1980s. She was captain of the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team that captured a silver medal in Los Angeles. Woodstra also was a member of the 1980 Olympic Team that did not compete due to the boycott. Overall, she spent eight years on the U.S. Women’s National Team.
As a standout outside hitter at the University of Southern California, Woodstra helped the Lady Trojans to the 1977 AIAW National Championship while earning All-America honors.
Outside of competing for Team USA, Woodstra played four seasons (1984-88) on the professional level for the NEC Volleyball Team of the Japanese League. She is a four-time USVBA Women’s Open First-Team All-American (1975, 1985-87) and the 1986 USVBA Women’s Open Player of the Year. Woodstra competed on three USVBA Women’s Open National Championship teams.
According to French, Woodstra was an all-around outside hitter with great ball control skills.
“Sue may have been best known for her passing and defense in an era before the libero,” French said. “However, she had all the tools needed as an outside hitter having to play all rotations.”
Woodstra has been honored by USA Volleyball on several occasions. In 1993, she was selected as a USVBA Flo Hyman All-Time Great Volleyball Player for her career achievements. Woodstra earned a spot on the USVBA All-Era Team as part of the 2002-03 USA Volleyball Diamond Jubilee Celebration commemorating the organization’s 75th Anniversary.
The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) inducted Woodstra into its Hall of Fame on Dec. 13, 2006.
|
|
|
|
Post by Phaedrus on May 17, 2007 18:51:45 GMT -5
At the risk of being a provocateur, all the while being extremely curious about this decision, I looked in the USAV coaching staff. There are equal numbers of staff members, where Hugh has a Director of sports medicine, Lang Ping has an assistant. With the addition of Sue Woodstra, we have three assistants and a technical coordinator, which is Diane French.
So here i smy take on the roles each person has on the staff.
Li Yong is Lang Ping's main trainer, he was with her on the Chinese National team and he was with her in Italy while coaching for Jessi. Tom Hogan is apparently a young guy who has impressed the powers that me, this quadrennial's version of Kevin Hambly, as it were. Diane French handles the taping, the travel, the daily necessities and the coordination. So what role does Sue Woodstra fill? I am assuming that they have some interns which headsets surgically attached to their ears and laptops growing out of their laps to do stats and scouting. So what do all these people do? I can see Li and Tom being the shoulders and swinging at the team during training. I can't see having Sue being one of the shoulders, so is she there for match planning and tactical advice?
I can't see JLP letting someone else do the practice plans or the match plans. She seems to be less concerned with the technical aspects of the game than Toshi was, at least she seems less obsessed with techniques. So perhaps she is delegating the skill development to Sue.
Very interesting. Any notions out there?
|
|
|
|
Post by BearClause on May 17, 2007 19:04:23 GMT -5
At the risk of being a provocateur, all the while being extremely curious about this decision, I looked in the USAV coaching staff. There are equal numbers of staff members, where Hugh has a Director of sports medicine, Lang Ping has an assistant. With the addition of Sue Woodstra, we have three assistants and a technical coordinator, which is Diane French. So here i smy take on the roles each person has on the staff. Li Yong is Lang Ping's main trainer, he was with her on the Chinese National team and he was with her in Italy while coaching for Jessi. Tom Hogan is apparently a young guy who has impressed the powers that me, this quadrennial's version of Kevin Hambly, as it were. Diane French handles the taping, the travel, the daily necessities and the coordination. So what role does Sue Woodstra fill? I am assuming that they have some interns which headsets surgically attached to their ears and laptops growing out of their laps to do stats and scouting. So what do all these people do? I can see Li and Tom being the shoulders and swinging at the team during training. I can't see having Sue being one of the shoulders, so is she there for match planning and tactical advice? I can't see JLP letting someone else do the practice plans or the match plans. She seems to be less concerned with the technical aspects of the game than Toshi was, at least she seems less obsessed with techniques. So perhaps she is delegating the skill development to Sue. Very interesting. Any notions out there? I heard at least 10 years ago Sue was bombing away at her team during warmups. There was a legendary episode (before my time although I know someone who was there) where Sue peppered with a player before Cal played at Stanford (was it 1997?) and everyone was absolutely floored because she was diving all over the floor and making the most incredible digs. |
|
|
|
Post by dishdaball on May 18, 2007 8:33:51 GMT -5
At the risk of being a provocateur, all the while being extremely curious about this decision, I looked in the USAV coaching staff. There are equal numbers of staff members, where Hugh has a Director of sports medicine, Lang Ping has an assistant. With the addition of Sue Woodstra, we have three assistants and a technical coordinator, which is Diane French. So here i smy take on the roles each person has on the staff. Li Yong is Lang Ping's main trainer, he was with her on the Chinese National team and he was with her in Italy while coaching for Jessi. Tom Hogan is apparently a young guy who has impressed the powers that me, this quadrennial's version of Kevin Hambly, as it were. Diane French handles the taping, the travel, the daily necessities and the coordination. So what role does Sue Woodstra fill? I am assuming that they have some interns which headsets surgically attached to their ears and laptops growing out of their laps to do stats and scouting. So what do all these people do? I can see Li and Tom being the shoulders and swinging at the team during training. I can't see having Sue being one of the shoulders, so is she there for match planning and tactical advice? I can't see JLP letting someone else do the practice plans or the match plans. She seems to be less concerned with the technical aspects of the game than Toshi was, at least she seems less obsessed with techniques. So perhaps she is delegating the skill development to Sue. Very interesting. Any notions out there? I heard at least 10 years ago Sue was bombing away at her team during warmups. There was a legendary episode (before my time although I know someone who was there) where Sue peppered with a player before Cal played at Stanford (was it 1997?) and everyone was absolutely floored because she was diving all over the floor and making the most incredible digs. 1997 was 10 years ago....that's a long time. Surely they hired her for her knowledge of the game. She will also be able to relate to the girls well having been in their shoes at one time. When you look at the current staff I'm sure that was a challenge. My guess is the technical piece - which will be a huge plus. |
|
|
|
Post by dorothymantooth on May 21, 2007 9:07:26 GMT -5
The USA womens team is in complete dissaray. JLP has little or no presence figuratively or literally. Communication is a disaster. Veterans can't relate with staff, rookies have no idea where they stand. This is a disaster for Doug Beal, but he made his bed!
|
|
|
|
Post by vbfanatic on May 21, 2007 9:26:08 GMT -5
I guess we will see this summer. Do you think they will qualify for the Olympics? What do they have to do? I wonder if Jenny knew what she was getting herself into with this job.
|
|
|
|
Post by beachman on May 22, 2007 14:53:03 GMT -5
I need to ask the question.....is this a good hire? If not then what is going on with our National Team??? Seems to be all about the men.........  |
|
|
|
Post by Keystonekid on May 22, 2007 15:01:52 GMT -5
The verdict is out on Beal, but it is not leaning in the right direction.. If you were referring to JLP I would say at this point it was an awful hire.
|
|
|
|
Post by silversurfer on May 22, 2007 15:06:42 GMT -5
The verdict is out on Beal, but it is not leaning in the right direction.. If you were referring to JLP I would say at this point it was an awful hire. What a surprise because he seems so personable... |
|
|
|
Post by Murina on May 22, 2007 15:30:30 GMT -5
So what is the problem with JLP?
|
|
|
|
Post by Keystonekid on May 22, 2007 15:55:46 GMT -5
She has been there very little, she is not communicating with returning veterans, or current players who are there training, trying out.
|
|
|
|
Post by itarusvolei on May 22, 2007 21:33:19 GMT -5
As a compeitior Sue was a terrific representative of USA, as a coach she is lacking in many areas. Her success made in USC Munster was due to lack of competition in Bundaliga in that time.
At Cal she was ineffective and as USA asst coach I am not sure what her role will be other than a public relations to ease public disatisfaction of USAV progress. She is not capable trainer anymore although she is more controlled even still at her age than Tom Hogan.
USAV is in turmoil, of course they will qualify because the NORCECA is weak and USA has enough experience to bypass Canada and Republic of Dominican. They will not defeat Cuba as the world will see some new trends in Cuban style, they will be difficult to overcome when Olympics are upon us.
Doug Beal has never witnessed her ability to build strong players, so then how could a statement about her ability in this discipline be made.
As a new countryman of USA I feel terrible for the older players who will yet again fail in Olympics and young players who are without direction.
It is quite sad!
|
|
|
|
Post by beachman on May 23, 2007 0:17:11 GMT -5
Given Doug Beal's background isn't it safe to believe that he probably doesn't put a high priority on the Women's Program or the Women's National Team?? I have hear from very reliable sources that JLP has a horrible relationship with her veteran players and that there was a petition signed by a good many of them last year in protest to the way she coached during their last big tournament.....not sure what the outcome was, of the petition I mean, but my source indicated that there was big trouble in river city last summer and fall...
|
|
|
|
Post by OverAndUnder on May 23, 2007 9:13:21 GMT -5
That much is obvious, but I've heard different opinions expressed by people associated with the situation, and what I haven't yet been able to determine is whether the problems are because she didn't pander to the prima donna attitudes and expected the veteran stars to commit to training and the team system as a whole, or if it's because she's truly just an aloof overly-restrictive @*(#4!.
|
|
