- February 11th, 2009, 11:50 pm
#233121
John Tawa the founder of prepvolleyball.com asked Kallie to write an article for the nations leading website for youth volleyball. I could not successfuly link to the article (it's a pay to view site), so I pasted it below.
[Editor’s note: Kallie Corbin,a junior setter at Liberty University and the school’s first AVCA Honorable Mention Division I player, shares things to think about when considering playing collegiate volleyball at a faith-based institution of higher learning]
Is playing volleyball at a private Christian school for you?
For discussion of this rather difficult topic, let me define what I mean when I say “Christian school.” I’m describing Protestant schools (both colleges and universities), rather than Catholic schools. The schools in my article have students who attend bible classes every semester and come together for chapel or convocation multiple times a week. More specifically, the large majority of students, teachers and administrators are active members of a Protestant Christian church and are committed to being ambassadors for Christ. Most would call themselves evangelical Christians.
It should also be noted that during my recruiting process, I was introduced to many public state schools that had dynamic churches nearby, active Christian clubs on campus, and coaches who respected my faith. I’m sure I would have had a good experience at any one of those schools, but I’m very happy with my decision to attend and play for one of the three Division I volleyball schools that have student bodies and faculty members who meet the criteria above.
While in junior and senior high school my schedule was crazy. I wanted to do it all, and I was determined to fit it all in. I wanted to make good grades. I wanted to sing in the school musicals. I wanted to play multiple sports. I wanted to play for a high-level volleyball club. And, I wanted to be an active member of my church and its youth group. My days were long but I found time for everything.
During my recruiting process it became clear to me that my college life would be far more focused – every coach emphasized academics and volleyball. The idea of giving up school musicals and other sports was easy, but I was not ready to give up my time spent with other Christians – it was and still is my source of spiritual strength and growth.
When I talked with my club volleyball teammates about college, it became evident everyone had different expectations for those important college years. Mine looked very similar to the experience my parents had. They attended a conservative Christian school where higher education, personal faith and dynamic friendships were weaved together. Good conduct by students was the norm not the exception, and fun parties did not include alcohol, drugs or sex. They played intramural sports, were members of service clubs, attended games (it was an NAIA school), and went to Christian concerts. They married shortly after graduation – that was 28 years ago. Their college experience always sounded appealing to me, but I also wanted something more: to be an NCAA Div. I student athlete.
Ultimately, I found everything I was looking for at Liberty University, an evangelical Christian school in Virginia (a member of the Big South Conference). My happiness is based on one thing – when I was looking for a school, I knew what I wanted to experience during my college years.
If you’re considering an opportunity to play volleyball at a Christian school, let me state the obvious – it will be far different from that of a public state school. Only you can decide if it is better or worse. To help you make a judgment, I’ve listed some general facts and some questions for you to ponder.
Academic Life:
*Most Christian schools require you take bible classes. Do you have an interest in Christianity and bible knowledge?
*Most professors start their classes with a short prayer. Is that appealing to you?
*Most classes will be smaller in size. Do you prefer small classes or large?
*Most private Christian schools are known for administrations and educators who are socially and politically conservative. Do you find a conservative environment appealing?
*Most Christian schools require students to live on campus (at least the first 2 years). Do you like the idea of living in a dorm?
Social Life:
*Most Christian schools have curfews. Would that bother you?
*Most Christian schools have separate dorms for women and men, and room visits by the opposite sex are not allowed. Is that appealing?
*Most Christian schools have an active schedule of things to do and attend (Christian music concerts, intramurals, sporting events, clubs, ministries, etc.). Do those things sound like fun?
*Most Christian schools promote a “Good behavior is in, bad behavior is out” campus culture. Are you a “Good is in” kind of person?
*Most Christian schools have strong rules about alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco use. Is that appealing or disappointing?
Team Life:
*Most Christian schools hire coaches that are Christians. They are free to talk about their Christian faith. They aren’t perfect, but they try hard to coach without doing things that would tarnish their Christian testimony or embarrass their school. Is an openly Christian coach appealing?
*Most Christian schools hire coaches who lead and teach without overt cursing. Is that appealing?
*Most Christian schools recruit the best talent possible, with no regard to a player’s faith. However, all student athletes are ambassadors for their school. Would you be willing to be an ambassador for a Christian school?
*Most Christian schools will not support openly gay relationships. Is that OK with you?
*Most Christian schools will have a large ratio of Christian athletes on the roster. As teammates, there is a bond on several levels. Chemistry on and off the court is normally good due to communality of faith and social behavior. Is that appealing?
*Most schools compete in the NAIA or play in NCAA division two conferences. Does that match your ability, skills and desire?
Spiritual Life:
*Most everyone on campus will be a Christian. Is that appealing?
*Most schools have a deep commitment to the spiritual development of all students. Is that appealing?
*Most schools have a chapel or convocation service for students multiple times a week. Would you enjoy worshiping God publicly with fellow students?
I’m very happy with my decision to attend a Christian school, and my only advice to players who are looking at Christian schools is simple – make sure you know what you want out of your college years.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 11 February 2009 )
[Editor’s note: Kallie Corbin,a junior setter at Liberty University and the school’s first AVCA Honorable Mention Division I player, shares things to think about when considering playing collegiate volleyball at a faith-based institution of higher learning]
Is playing volleyball at a private Christian school for you?
For discussion of this rather difficult topic, let me define what I mean when I say “Christian school.” I’m describing Protestant schools (both colleges and universities), rather than Catholic schools. The schools in my article have students who attend bible classes every semester and come together for chapel or convocation multiple times a week. More specifically, the large majority of students, teachers and administrators are active members of a Protestant Christian church and are committed to being ambassadors for Christ. Most would call themselves evangelical Christians.
It should also be noted that during my recruiting process, I was introduced to many public state schools that had dynamic churches nearby, active Christian clubs on campus, and coaches who respected my faith. I’m sure I would have had a good experience at any one of those schools, but I’m very happy with my decision to attend and play for one of the three Division I volleyball schools that have student bodies and faculty members who meet the criteria above.
While in junior and senior high school my schedule was crazy. I wanted to do it all, and I was determined to fit it all in. I wanted to make good grades. I wanted to sing in the school musicals. I wanted to play multiple sports. I wanted to play for a high-level volleyball club. And, I wanted to be an active member of my church and its youth group. My days were long but I found time for everything.
During my recruiting process it became clear to me that my college life would be far more focused – every coach emphasized academics and volleyball. The idea of giving up school musicals and other sports was easy, but I was not ready to give up my time spent with other Christians – it was and still is my source of spiritual strength and growth.
When I talked with my club volleyball teammates about college, it became evident everyone had different expectations for those important college years. Mine looked very similar to the experience my parents had. They attended a conservative Christian school where higher education, personal faith and dynamic friendships were weaved together. Good conduct by students was the norm not the exception, and fun parties did not include alcohol, drugs or sex. They played intramural sports, were members of service clubs, attended games (it was an NAIA school), and went to Christian concerts. They married shortly after graduation – that was 28 years ago. Their college experience always sounded appealing to me, but I also wanted something more: to be an NCAA Div. I student athlete.
Ultimately, I found everything I was looking for at Liberty University, an evangelical Christian school in Virginia (a member of the Big South Conference). My happiness is based on one thing – when I was looking for a school, I knew what I wanted to experience during my college years.
If you’re considering an opportunity to play volleyball at a Christian school, let me state the obvious – it will be far different from that of a public state school. Only you can decide if it is better or worse. To help you make a judgment, I’ve listed some general facts and some questions for you to ponder.
Academic Life:
*Most Christian schools require you take bible classes. Do you have an interest in Christianity and bible knowledge?
*Most professors start their classes with a short prayer. Is that appealing to you?
*Most classes will be smaller in size. Do you prefer small classes or large?
*Most private Christian schools are known for administrations and educators who are socially and politically conservative. Do you find a conservative environment appealing?
*Most Christian schools require students to live on campus (at least the first 2 years). Do you like the idea of living in a dorm?
Social Life:
*Most Christian schools have curfews. Would that bother you?
*Most Christian schools have separate dorms for women and men, and room visits by the opposite sex are not allowed. Is that appealing?
*Most Christian schools have an active schedule of things to do and attend (Christian music concerts, intramurals, sporting events, clubs, ministries, etc.). Do those things sound like fun?
*Most Christian schools promote a “Good behavior is in, bad behavior is out” campus culture. Are you a “Good is in” kind of person?
*Most Christian schools have strong rules about alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco use. Is that appealing or disappointing?
Team Life:
*Most Christian schools hire coaches that are Christians. They are free to talk about their Christian faith. They aren’t perfect, but they try hard to coach without doing things that would tarnish their Christian testimony or embarrass their school. Is an openly Christian coach appealing?
*Most Christian schools hire coaches who lead and teach without overt cursing. Is that appealing?
*Most Christian schools recruit the best talent possible, with no regard to a player’s faith. However, all student athletes are ambassadors for their school. Would you be willing to be an ambassador for a Christian school?
*Most Christian schools will not support openly gay relationships. Is that OK with you?
*Most Christian schools will have a large ratio of Christian athletes on the roster. As teammates, there is a bond on several levels. Chemistry on and off the court is normally good due to communality of faith and social behavior. Is that appealing?
*Most schools compete in the NAIA or play in NCAA division two conferences. Does that match your ability, skills and desire?
Spiritual Life:
*Most everyone on campus will be a Christian. Is that appealing?
*Most schools have a deep commitment to the spiritual development of all students. Is that appealing?
*Most schools have a chapel or convocation service for students multiple times a week. Would you enjoy worshiping God publicly with fellow students?
I’m very happy with my decision to attend a Christian school, and my only advice to players who are looking at Christian schools is simple – make sure you know what you want out of your college years.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 11 February 2009 )
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