Volleyball Footprint - - DAIN BLANTON

This is the full interview we had with 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist and AVP Legend, Dain Blanton, during the Friday of the AVP NYC. To say that he generous with his time is an understatement. We caught up with Dain, just before he started his clinic/camp session with AVP First at Pier 25.

As you can see, the AVP and many of its charter members, are very open to speaking with those invested in "Growing The Game." We touched on how, as a leader in the sport of volleyball, he is looking to give the sport a diverse range of appeal to all athletes no matter the age, gender or ethnic background. Blanton believe in this mission and wants to further the reach of the sport the best way he knows how, through coaching the next generation.

In fact, watch as Dain's face light up when he speaks of Kelly Claes and Sarah Hughes and their incredible run through the qualifying rounds and into (what eventually became) their semifinal appearance. Hughes and Claes ran into a Nicole Branaugh and Jenny Kropp in their semifinal loss (set 3 of that match to come in future posts).

We questioned if he and Fonoi would ever look to do a Master's Beach Tour any time soon. You can judge his answer.

Empire Volleyball Club wants to thank Dain Blanton for the interview and giving of his time. Watch him on NBC SPORTS as he is the voice on the courts during the AVP season.

Hope you enjoy.

Volleyball Footprint: AVP1st (AVPFirst) Building Champions from the Grassroots on Up

For one to have a footprint, you must leave an indelible mark in history some how. Whether you are a famous singer or the local butcher, once people can remember who and why you have effected them you have left THE footprint.

The American Volleyball Professionals (AVP) tournament tour, has done just that!

Since its birth in the late 1980's, the AVP has promoted the sport of beach volleyball in an unprecedented way. In fact it was because of the AVP's popularity, that the FIVB (Federation of International Volleyball) started having international beach volleyball competitions, since the mid-1990's. From there beach volleyball has grown to be one of the most popular sports at every Olympics.

International players, such as Jose Loyola of Brazil, gained American citizenship just to be able to play and earn money with in the AVP. Just spit-balling here, but, when players from other countries, leave their home lands to make it in your league, you have created a pretty substantial footprint.

However, this article isn't about the AVP's footprint with adult players. No, no. Its about what they are looking to do with the youth players who have not been exposed to such a high level of beach volleyball. 

This article is about the AVP First program and their mission to get the youth out on to the beach with the best in the world.

www.avp.com/avp-first/
Click on the and be taken to the AVP First Homepage

Can you imagine being able to learn how to throw a football from Peyton Manning, or shoot from Stefan Curry? Well, that is what the AVP is trying to do with AVP First. They are attempting to connect the pros to the pupils, in a grassroots effort to improve beach volleyball from the kids up.

AVPFirst (AVP1st) is "inspiring healthy lifestyles and a lifelong connection to the sport of volleyball in youth and their families," as stated on the AVP First homepage, with in their mission. Now that is saying a lot!

Over the years, the sport of beach volleyball has grown so large in popularity, it almost overshadows its older brother, indoor volleyball. More and more young people are playing beach volleyball because of what if offers. No other sport, outside of surfing, expresses the "fun in the sun" attitude as beach volleyball does. The problem has been getting the best players to connect with the youth at the grassroots level.

Well the AVP, its corporate partners and many of the elite players, on tour, want to change that. Just listen to Tony Giarla (sorry I said Garcia in the video), Director of AVP First, in this short interview. We spoke at the AVP tour stop in New York City, July 17, 2015. As we were speaking they were prepping for a clinic that night to be lead by none other than, Dain Blanton. The 2000 Sydney Olympic Gold Medalist and multiple AVP Champion.

As you heard in the video, the AVP is making a concerted effort to the youth of America with the best this sport has to offer.

Dain Blanton
2000 Olympic Gold Medalist in Sydney
Multiple AVP Championships
Currently an NBC Sports Analyst
and On Air Talent

The motto of all great volleyball coaches and leaders is "GROW THE GAME." Nowhere is that more evident than when an entity as big as the AVP decides to become a leader in the sport through grassroots efforts, as AVP First.

Don't get me wrong, there are other programs out there. USA Volleyball has their own grassroots beach programs, and there are local area camps and clinics across the country. My friend Bobby Jones has his beach training program in Austin, Texas called "Project Serve." Please check it out when you're in the state of Texas. However, no one will have the same kind of impact on the sport, at the grassroots level, as the AVP.

Through the AVP First program and its access to the elite of ELITES in the sport of beach volleyball, i.e; Kerri Walsh-Jennings (I know you have heard of her) or the previously mentioned, Dain Blanton, conducting clinics and camps throughout the tour cycle and beyond, the level of the sport will grow exponentially. By exposing these kids to this level of talent, the AVP is giving these fledgling athletes an incredible opportunity no matter where they are from. Connecting the youth, from either inner cities or rural America, to the icons of the sport is undeniably a great advantage! The AVP is learning to make that happen and is putting the right investment where it matters...WITH THE KIDS.

With its efforts through AVP First, the American Volleyball Professionals tour, will be leaving a long lasting footprint on beach volleyball for many years. Who knows, maybe one day a player that came through AVP First, will be winning golds medal in Olympics to come.

The question now stands...where will you leave YOUR volleyball footprint?

Thank you for reading....(see you on the courts)

EVC

US Open Nationals in the D (aka Detroit, MI)

So, its officially over and that time of the year is passed. Once again, 30-40 teams from the New York, New Jersey Metropolitan Area - along with a few hundred or so other teams from various other US Volleyball regions - descended onto an unsuspecting city and took over for 8 days.

YOU'RE WELCOME DETROIT!!!!

I can't lie, Detroit was horrible. The city shut everything down at 11:30pm. Bars closed at 2am, like many places, but there was NO NIGHT LIFE. Not what was advertised (by myself as well) Detroit. Next time, be ready the onslaught that is adult nationals.

On the other hand, everything else was awesome!!!

Between watching our region do very well in MANY divisions and age groups, we partied HARDER, stayed out LONGER and overall showed why GEVA is the BEST REGION TO LIVE IN!!!

Congrats to Train Wreck for taking GOLD ! Lead by Ali Jackson, Tournament MVP, Train Wreck DOMINATED Women's BB only dropping 1 set in four days of play. Congrats to all of Train Wreck: Cindy Stayton, Cristina Payne, Val Lang, Valeria Langlois, Caitlin Weiss, Mindy Stephanie, Tiffany Firebaugh, and Audrey Goss. We'll miss you in GEVA - and NYC - Audrey, when you move, but we know you and Aaron Zucker will have a great life in Chicago!!!


Awesome job by Dan McFadden and his team, GSA, who also took GOLD in Men's A. Congrats to Lorenzo Samin and team Super Flow Flex for finishing 3rd in Men's A as well. Props go out to Rony Gilot Jr. and the men of Creole Red, aka 40+, for representing us in that age group! I'm with you all in Orlando! Congrats to former Empire Volleyball Club members Dennis J. Park and Kevin Shalley for leading NY Strangers to the Bronze Bracket Title. We keep that tradition alive with you all!!!

Now, as for Empire Volleyball Club, let's be real; we came together with less than two months before Nationals. We registered. Got hotels. Organized flights and transportation last minute. We couldn't even have a final roster until just before our first whistle Friday afternoon in Detroit. To finish 33rd over all and win Flight 1, we kicked some major butt.

Huge thank you to Kyle Birdman Burnside, for bringing in people to this year's team. Props to the those guys, Mark Ledwich, Erik Shagdar, Daniel Meretzky, Kevin Skeuse, Raymond Collins and Jordy Diaz our team MVP for bringing it on our last day. We started off the weekend 0-5. Got a little too drunk two out of four nights and then, well like all GEVA teams, made it count in playoffs. After winning our challenge match to Flight 1, we never looked back, finishing the weekend with a 5-5 record in Men's BB. We made Empire Volleyball Club proud!!!
Thank you Bryn Kehoe, for hanging out with us after your match. I know Jordy was in LOVE.

Thank you Jeffrey Ptak for hanging before your match. Furthermore, Big Jeff, CONGRATS on winning two championships this year. One in Bahrain and the other with Team Pineapple in the Men's PVL Division.
Good luck to my homie, Stephen Bracken and the Men's National Sitting Team, as they travel out to Bosnia.

All in all, this years Nationals wasn't very different to many others. We all played hard and had fun. Each team achieved some level of success or met a level failure, but still played together.
Next year its in ORLANDO, FLORIDA. There will definitely be more teams and more chances for bad stories and major hijinks. All I know is I can't wait!

See you all during the outdoor season, but I hope more than anything I'll see you all again in Orlando!!!
GO Empire!!!

Introduzco Los Hombres de SUAVE en el Imperio!! and Suave Bowl Boxes

Enter The Men of SUAVE into TheEmpire!!

Ok....

My Spanish is thanks to Google Translate and not to me actually remembering anything specific from classes I took in high school.

HOWEVER - - -

Empire Volleyball Club is BACK, but not the original group of EVC-Prime. this year's version has some Latino HEAT!!! (yes that is a WWE reference)

The 2014 version of EVC is actually a reboot of SUAVE Volleyball Club and Empire mixed. This years members include, but aren't limited to:

Angel R (Bronx, NY)., Roberto H., Joachin S. (Both in  NYC, NY), Patrick D., Francisco M., Joseph E., Todd R., Eder M., and Desmond H (All in Brooklyn). This is a very formidable team, when all the members are there. So far, Suave has had a difficult start to the season. Members have had injuries and struggled through tough personal situations, however, the team and club play on!!!

VAMOS JUEGAR!!! (Let's Play)

Suave Empire will be competing in the GEVA's (Garden Empire Volleyball Association) new Division 1 level. This Division doesn't eliminate AA/A/BB ranking or labels.What it does is it puts in play a simpler grading system and a better way for teams to register for matches. The divisional system also allows for more teams to play against each other and gain points more often throughout the season. Now, teams who at one point had to play up to AA/A to get extra tournament time in won't need to worry.

As a Club, we have already competed in three money tournaments this season. Two at Turners Club in the Bronx and one hosted by GEVA at St. John's University, though each tournament was met with its own challenges, Suave Empire did have a fair showing at each tournament. Eventually the group from all over New York City will gain a solid chemistry and win one of these up coming tournament this season.

SUAVE BOWL BOXES 

Like all other teams we are starting our fund raising for the 2014 National Tournament, being held in PHOENIX, AZ once again!!!

As a result, we're having a drive started with the best fund raising idea any team can have (and most have). We're doing a set of Boxes for the Big (football) Game on February 2, 2014 at the Met Life Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

To the right of this article is the Pay Pal links to purchase boxes. As you will see each box can be selected directly on screen. Below is a picture of the Boxes in an Excel Spread Sheet. Whenever a BOX is purchased names will be updated by 11pm each evening. Purchasing ENDS at 6:30pm Sunday Feb. 2, 2014.

The cost per BOX is $25. The pay outs are as follows: (if all Boxes are SOLD)

• 1st Quarter: $125
• At The Half: $300
• 3rd Quarter: $125
• At The Final: $700

When purchasing your boxes please leave your name and the address or desired location to mail victor checks.

We hope all of you can help us with our goal of getting to Nationals.

AS ALWAYS!!!

We want to thank all of our followers, friends and fans! Without you Suave Empire wouldn't really just be a bunch of guys playing volleyball and having some beers at the end of the day talking about our lives. well, we do that anyway, but now we have some awesome people to help us enjoys those special tournament moments all over again.

THANK YOU.

See you all during the season. Help us get to Nationals and - as always - GROW THE GAME!!!

- Asi SUAVE ;-)

"One Shall Stand - MANY (but not all) Shall Fall"

Salt Lake City, UT - Tuesday May 29, 2012


After a couple of days of pool play, the men of Empire Volleyball Club; Lenny Kushnir, Tim Meier, Andy McLeavey, Erik Seide, Dennis J. Park, Kevin Shalley, Felix Volyand and Patrick Agnew Dietz had their hands full with the daunting task of winning their Bronze Division Bracket at Open Nationals. Winning this bracket meant that these men, who came together in late December, would be one of the top 15 teams in the "BB" Men's Division in the country. Top 15 out 48, isn't bad!!!


Before we get into how team Prime did, lets set up the stage for why they were in the bronze bracket.


On the first two days of Nationals, Team Prime was in a state wonder. Why you ask? Well the answer was simple, how were they going to handle 48 teams from around the country. Actually, their real question was, "how do we beat 38 teams from outside of our own region (GEVA) all while trying to best ten (10) teams from GEVA?"


Over the course of the season Team Prime had its ups and downs, but this one tournament was probably going to put everything in perspective on just how good of a team these men have truly become.


The team had a great practice and scrimmage the Friday night before the start of the tournament. Their spirits were up when they received some bad news. Lenny was injured. He partially tore his calf muscle playing on the beach the weekend before Nationals. Ouch, now the team is set back one additional person, than they expected. Earlier in the month, Mike C had informed the team of a work issue. "Great.." was the sentiment ringing through the team. Knowing they would be without one of their middles, Prime searched for one, ultimately deciding to move Tim to the middle. Now with the loss of Lenny the team needed to find another outside hitter to help rest Felix and Dennis, call to action, Patrick.


On Saturday, the team was still becoming a custom to the new look. Couple this with the 8am start time and Prime wasn't in prime form. They dropped their first match in three sets 2-1 to a team from North Carolina, Mental Block. Though it was a loss, Prime took away much needed confidence into their next two matches, one of which they dominated and won in two (Clarke's Pool (AZ); 2-1 and Red White and Brew (SC) 2-0).


Their last contest of day (did we mention Prime was in a seven (7) team pool?) was against a team out of the Yankee (Boston) region, MIT Alums. This is one of those teams that can surprise you with their athleticism and that is what they did against EVC-Prime. All three sets were highly contested with scores of 25-23, 23-25 and 15-10 with Prime on top at the end. This was a really high note for the seven man team and great way to end a long day of play.


On Saturday after a fun team dinner at one of Salt Lake's finer Mexican restaurants (the Blue Iguana - we suggest you try it if ever in Salt Lake) Prime was more awake and ready to do some damage on the courts.


Their first opponent ZAXID, a group of Ukrainian nationals from Chicago,  were win less in the first day of play. Not knowing what to expect, Prime came out hot and ready to win, unfortunately, so did ZAXID. Prime dropped their first match of the day in two (0-2) and this would prove to be a major blow later on in their standings.


Also on Saturday EVC-Prime received some unexpected good news. Lenny, who still made the trip out to Salt Lake even though injured, was able to play. Not knowing his status, he left the decision to play up to how he felt physically. This bolstered the team in numbers, and added some much needed team morale. The final contest of pool play was held at 10:10am on Saturday. This was a pivotal match for EVC. If they win there would be a four way tie for first place, if they lose, they would fall completely out of any award possibility.


Prime once again came out primed!!! The match was well played on both sides with lead changes two times in each set. Eventually, EVC-Prime won 2-1 with scores of 25-17, 22-25 and 17-15. This victory gave Empire Volleyball a chance to at be in the Gold Bracket, something not expected, but relished. Unfortunately, the loss to ZAXID, was detrimental to team Prime.


As a result of that loss, there was a four way tie for the top spot. USA Volleyball has a set of criteria in place just in case of this kind of situation. "In the case of your tie, we go to sets won and lost," stated George Egan, USA Volleyball Head Tournament Director. "Because of your lost to ZAXID, you put yourself in a bad spot. You have the lowest set winning percentage, compared to the other teams. Each of those teams are at 60% or better, your team is at 56%. You should have just won that game this morning..." After informing the team of the official decision, the group made a conscious effort to prove to USA Volleyball, they were wrong.


And that is what was done!!!


From the match against Wyoming Volleyball Club to the Bronze Bracket Final against Shinkara-Prolifik, EVC-Prime never looked back. They dominated almost every match, with wins starting Monday morning straight into Tuesday night. Prime won their next six (6) straight matches, with some convincing scores 25-17 25-13 (Wyoming) for example. And even when they struggled they found ways to get it together and win, 23-25, 25-13, 15-13 (Servers U Otter Creek from Iowa). Lead by the hitting and blocking of Andy, Erik and Tim; fueled by the defense and serving of Dennis, Felix, Lenny and Patrick; and guided by the hands and decisions of Kevin, EVC forged through and established a great milestone in the club's history, #15 out 48 at the USA National Open Tournament in the Men's BB Division. Not bad at all!!


Great job in Salt Lake gents!!! And special thank yous have to go out to the following people for supporting us while in Salt Lake City.


First and foremost, a very special thank you to the ladies of VBLI CRUSH, who finished #8 overall in the Women's Gold Division!!! You ladies ROCK!!! Thank you for being at our side as we were at yours during the long weekend. It was an awesome pleasure having your there. Thank you to Alison, Laura, Rachel, Kirsten, Jackie, Tracy, Chivonne, Jasmine, Brittany, Edeana, Danielle and Rhea


An incredible heart felt and emotional thank you goes out to Lee and Joy Jacobs, from Perry Michigan!!! Having such a great mom and dad combination (even though you're not our actual mom and dad) helped push us farther than we could have imagined! Lee thank you for the flag waving, cheering and confident words. Joy thank you for being a steady voice of encouragement and lobbying of us on bad calls. BOTH OF YOU MADE THIS EVENT EVEN MORE FUN!!!


Additional thank yous go out to the all of our GEVA compatriots that also followed and supported us throughout the tournament. Teams such as Blind Rage, NorthShores Gold and Black, Hassenet, Motorboat and finally the Men's BB Gold Bracket Runner Ups, Metropolis! They had a great run and almost pulled out the victory. Lost in the Gold Bracket Final; to then win the Gold Challenge Final to then vie for the Gold Overall again; that is a GREAT run gents. AWESOME job!!!


More thank yous go out to; Slick Shots out of NYC lead by Yas Daniels ad Melissa Hernandez, both former Hunter College standouts and "Hi-Ya!!" out of Central Jersey, awesome run ladies, both teams finished 22nd and 23 respectively. Team "Get Over It" Women's B. Thanks for coming over and screaming Felix's name during one of our matches. Made a few of us laugh to know he had some harmless groupies!!!


Special thank yous go to team Ohana, from New Jersey. You ladies are beyond great and I wish you had a better tournament, however, I know you all had a great time in Salt Lake. Thanks for being there at the end to cheer us on!!! We truly appreciated it all!!


This was a great Nationals. GEVA represented well and often. Next year is in Louisville, Kentucky. Pack your bags people and get ready for some fun times, Louisville is a great place and the barbecue is pretty exceptional too.


Thank you to all of our followers during the year and all of our families and friends. Keep your eyes open for the Leader of The Pack Tournament to be hosted by EVC sometime later this summer!!! It will be a fun King/Queen of the beach format tournament.


Thank you all, especially my brothers in arms...Andy Mac, Dennis P, Erik S, Felix V, Lenny K, Kevin S and Tim M...awesome Nationals guys fantastic year!!!


Lets do it again in 2013 in Louisville!!!


GO PRIME!!!


GO Empire Volleyball Club!!!

US OPEN NATIONALS: Day One

UPDATE:

2012 USA Volleyball Nationals; Salt Lake City, Utah
May 26, 2012

Another US Open National Volleyball tournament has started and things are looking good for Empire Volleyball Club, even with some moderate issues, Team Prime is working well and playing well. The athletes competing awesomely and finding the right mix of strength and smarts on the courts. To follow how Prime is doing please go to the link below to track their progress.

http://www.advancedeventsystems.com/VolleyballResults/TeamSchedule.aspx?e=PTAwMDAwMDIzNTQ90&t=139389

Along with the solid EVC is celebrating a belated birthday with to team member Erik Seide who is playing great in the middle!!!

Keep your eyes open for some awesome interviews with some of the players and some not so expected US Open participants.

Thanks for following!!!

GO PRIME!!!

GO EVC!!!

Volleyball Footprint - The Todd Serad Story

DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN?
Head of the Beach Volleyball Statue, 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics
Todd was the Model for the Olympic Statue

Do you know this man? Do you know that he is the ONLY person from the New York City, Metropolitan area to be IMMORTALIZED in Gold? Did you know he is an OLYMPIC ICON?

His name is Todd Serad. The man of many volleyball footprints, this author is one of them.

Todd has been instrumental in creating a volleyball legacy that spans beyond just that Golden Statue from the 1996, Atlanta Olympics. Yes, I am not lying to you, Todd Serad was used as the model for the Olympic Statue. His size and stature was seen as a "perfect embodiment of what beach volleyball should look like, in the Olympics..."

But believe it or not, that's not Todd's only legacy. His volleyball footprint stretches from person to person, and place to place. It starts from his time in the Navy and playing volleyball. During those days, playing beach volleyball on the shores of San Diego were his way of relaxing from a day of active duty. Remember the scene in "Top Gun" where all the Navy "Fly Boys" (pilots) were playing each other on the sand? Well, Todd did that and excelled at it.

Upon leaving the Navy, Todd worked for an advertising and media sales company here in New York City. This is where Todd's ability to connect to people, fun and volleyball came to its hilt! I can attest to all of it, since I am one of the many people Todd has helped reclaim their child like volleyball self.

In the mid 1990's, Todd was living on the Upper Eastside of Manhattan. While there he befriended a group of folks who played the occasional indoor and beach volleyball games. One spring morning Todd had an idea to set up a fun two net volleyball outing, in the North Meadow of Central Park. That two net outing became a four net mini tournament. In no time at all, about one summer, it was a full blown, "I need to get a permit from the city," volleyball social tournament. It was call "The King and Queen" Tournament. what started as a group of four men, just getting together to have a few fun times with a volleyball, turned into the Eastside version of co-ed volleyball bliss.

Most of the ORIGINAL Serad, King & Queen Volleyball Group at a Long Beach, NY beach get together;
Yeah...these many people would be at Central Park on a Saturday kin the early spring...GREAT TIMES!!!
We have lost some to marriage, moving, life...death, but we are all still close friends, and we thank Todd for it!

Todd with some King & Queen player
When the tournament moved way north to Inwood Park, NYC

Todd with Group members at a variation of the King & Queen
The Great "Leader of the Pack" grass tournament
formerly held at Over Peck, Leonia, NJ through NJVA

King & Queen group, waiting for Todd (far left in cap/white T-shirt) finishing up pool play scores & preparing for playoffs

The King & Queen's brought out every type of person, from the very professional, a few AVP qualifier types (even some AVP players) to well, folks who never even played the sports before. Todd made them all feel welcome and equal!

But that wasn't Toddy's only place to play family fun style volleyball. He had a share house in Fire Island, on Kismet Island. While there many of his co-workers, friends and neighbors became huge volleyball fans due to Todd's efforts  in generating just an fun atmosphere for the sport. Every July Fourth (4th) Todd would have a King & Queen Fours Volleyball Tournament. The night before would be a huge party with a "Draft" of players in a pool. Similar to the NFL, numbers would be drawn to see who picked first and that would be the order for all four rounds of the draft. This tournament was a hit from minute one with the Kismet families and many people would prepare tons of food and bring lots of drinks for the pre-tournament events.

And Todd's legacy/footprint continues!!!

After getting married in the early millennium, Todd moved out to Point Pleasant, NJ. He didn't try to stop playing volleyball, just do it less in his life, however, it didn't take. Todd continued to play volleyball and his wife, Martina, encourages it! She love that side of Todd and hopes he never stops, unfortunately for Todd as for many of us, playing isn't what it used to be.

Todd is now a volleyball coach. "I didn't know I would like so much..." he stated on the phone to me one night. How did this happen, well that is simple. One day Todd went to Lacey High School and saw a group of young men looking to play volleyball, the problem was, they didn't have a coach. Todd volunteered and ever since then, the parent, the community and, most of all, the kids love what he is doing with them.

This is Todd's second year with the Lacey volleyball team, but now they have expanded their playing beyond the just the high school courts. Now the Lacey volleyball team, is young junior boys club. Though Todd is no longer the Lacey high school coach, he helped start the Lacey Boys Volleyball Club. How well are these young protege's of Todd Serad?

Well check out the picture bellow...

Lacey Volleyball Club Members (l to r) Standing: Coach Todd, Jake Dittenhofer, Greg Fenton, James Tranz, Brandon Lucante,
Crouched (l to r): Brandon Guenther, CJ Herdt & Alex Belin
Goodsports Volleyball Champions

Lacey Volleyball just won the Goodsports Volleyball Tournament. The boys of Lacey volleyball are mostly juniors and all have aspirations of playing volleyball in college. Until two years ago, many of them didn't even know they could, until they met Todd Serad. Hope they can continue to grow, win and develop more of a tradition, they have a great teacher in Todd Serad to show them how its done.

 Kind of sounds like Todd is doing just fine, and so is this club of young boys at the Lacey Volleyball Club. Todd has transcended his volleyball footprint. He has gone from talented volleyball player; volleyball group organizer; volleyball trend setter; to now being a volleyball MENTOR!

Todd Serad's footprints now spans generations and not only people. Do you know where you footprints lead?

Oh yea...so you probably want to know how did Todd get the privilege to be the model for the statue at the 1996 Olympics. Well, remember how I said at some of Todd's volleyball weekends there were AVP players? Well at some point Todd befriended enough of them to score some CHOICE VIP Passes to one of the Belmar events. At one of these events Todd met up with one of the coordinators for the beach volleyball portion of the Atlanta Olympics. Not knowing who this guy was, Todd invited him out to hangout the next weekend at Kismet. This person, had such a great time, he mentioned to Todd, just who he was and proposed to Mr. Serad, that he be the model for beach volleyball of the Olympic Games.

The golden version and the model with his golden twin

Yeah. That's right. Just by being a good guy, Todd Serad was asked to be an iconic figure, made of gold. Now this icon, looks to create icons and teach them the virtues of being a great person, on top of being a fantastic volleyball player.

So where will your footprints lead?

Thanks for reading...

EVC...

AWESOME DEBUT FOR TWO!!!

Clockwise From top Left: Kevin S, Lenny K, Dennis P. Jr, Erik S, Andy Mc, & Felix V

GEVA Division 2 BB Tournament, Power Zone; Denville, NJ...January 14, 2012


This was a GREAT day in Empire  Volleyball Club and team Prime history!!!


First off, two of our long standing members - long standing meaning they were two of the original 10 to say I want to play - Kevin S and Dennis P Jr, made their first on court, playing debuts, in the BLACK of EMPIRE-PRIME!!!


Both of these young men were geared up for their first tournament and it showed in the results!


Kevin is a setter/outside hitter just recently graduated from the University of Delaware. The former Blue Hen set for his college club team at NERVA Nationals the past few years and now brings his skill to EVC-Prime.


Dennis, a New York native, has been part of the volleyball scene since his high school days at St. Francis Prep, in Queens, NY. A graduate of Syracuse University, Dennis looks to take his ORANGE pride to PRIME time!!!


As for the tournament, all of the information was relayed to this reporter by Lenny K, setter/captain of the EVC team. Here is how reported it.


The tournament had some great teams and they each had played against EVC at some point this season. Each team came from different parts of our region; Hudson/Rockland County of New York, Central and Southern Jersey and a few from Long Island.


Kaboom, Big Willy's, and Metropolis were just a few teams registered to play in this event. EVC had its smallest turn out for this GEVA contest. Only the aforementioned, six (6) out of the 10 member program were able to participate. Each having to do something out of their comfort zone; Dennis played middle all day, and Kevin hit outside for the whole tournament. All in all it was a grand effort for this group, and wow was it ever rewarded.


The tournament started off well for Prime, they were able to get the first two wins at the beginning of the day. Then they spit in the following match. By the first report, Lenny had stated the team was 3-1, with solid play from all members. However, the great play was not to last. EVC dropped their next two games in the following match, which made the last match of the day very important.


With a sweet of the team in the last match, Empire-Prime, would be locked into a three way tie for the second spot in pool play. This would force a one match playoff with the other two teams to go into the semifinals of this GEVA tournament. Both of which, PRIME won in high style "In playoff. Had to play TWO play in games. We crushed both teams!" stated Lenny in a text.


In the semifinal match EVC-Prime was match against Metropolis, a team known for solid play and heavy hitting. The task at hand seemed daunting but the men of Prime, were PRIMED for the challenge. The scores were tight in the first two sets. EVC took the first, 25-23, the lost the second 21-25. With their backs up against the wall the player of Prime hunkered down for a tough fight. However, the fight wasn't too tough. "On to the finals!" exclaimed Lenny in the follow up text. He continued to say, "beat Metropolis in semis...Last set was 15-3."


WHAT?!?! 15-3?!?!?


Yes! That is correct. The fledgling club, just defeated one of the NYC's perennial volleyball clubs, Metropolis, in a third set semifinal, 15-3. Is it possible they could win the whole thing?


Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. In the finals EVC faced off against Big Willy's, another perennial powerhouse in the GEVA region. The scores, however, tell a tail of hard work and fatigue. Big Willy's won the GEVA Power Zone Division 2 tournament title over EVC-Prime, 23-25 & 21-25. Lenny commented on how "we ran out of gas," at the end.


All in the six team members finished SECOND, a club milestone!!!

L to R: Erik, Kevin, Lenny, Andy and Dennis (not picture) Felix

Congrats to all the six, Lenny, Kevin, Erik, Andy, Dennis and Felix. Each man deserves a a solid pat on the back and a boost for the next tournament!!!


Thank for following our club and wish us luck for the next tournament at HUNTER COLLEGE, February 5, 2012

EVC WANT TO KNOW -- WHERE DO YOU WANT TO PARTY?!?!?

Its a New Year and now a few new opportunities have risen to the forefront for the MEN of Empire Volleyball Club.

What are those opportunities? FUND RAISING!!!

We are looking to do it right and want your help...

Here is what we are proposing...There are three places on our list of possible party spots. We want to know where you all want to party....Here are you choices:

1) Slainte
--- This is a great bar in the Bowery.
http://www.slaintenyc.com/

2) Slate NYC
--- Awesome Billiard Hall, Bar Lounge in the Flatiron District of NYC
http://www.slate-ny.com/









3) Solas
--- Fantastic spot in the Lower East Side near NYU.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/solas-new-york







Ok, so its an "S" themed night, but all three of these places are AWESOME.

We ask that you, our friends, fans and followers to vote for your favorite spot!

Just leave a comment with your #1 choice and why, in the comments section.

All the votes will be counted and the top voted bar, will be the place EVC holds its 2012 Fund Raising Party!

Thanks for helping us out folks!!!

Go All of YOU and...

GO EMPIRE!!!!

AS PROMISED: The 2011 USA Volleyball Open Nationals Gold Men's Champion Match from Dallas, TX

May 29-April 2, 2011: Dallas, TX


HERE YOU GO EMPIRE FANS AND FOLLOWERS!!!


Footage from the 2011 Open Gold Men's Volleyball Championship Match between GEVA Region Champion, Creole out of Queens, NY and The New England Region Champion, GoNation out of Connecticut.


This is one of the best RIVALRY matches I have seen in a long time! Many of the players from both squads have long histories of playing with or against each other. It was made especially fun, thanks in part to the crowd, who were pulling for both sides for much of the tournament.


Some back story to each team for you.


First CREOLE


Originally Creole was created by Haitian volleyball players who lived here in the United States and Canada. If you were to Google Search Creole Volleyball, you will find that there are many of them around the country, especially in the north east. The founder of this club (EVC), was once a player for Creole on two of its teams and has had many thrills with other Creole members.


The current leader of Creole is Rony Gilot. Rony is also a former member of the Haitian National Team and the last setter to ever lead Queens College to an Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Playoff match against Penn State in the mid/late 1990's.


The name, Creole, comes from the language that is spoken on the island of Haiti. It is a language rooted in French but has a mixing of other ethnic tongues tossed in, such as Spanish.


The last time Creole made it to the Gold Medal Final at the Adult Open Tournament was in 1994. That year they were lead to a championship victory, by then Penn State All American, Ivan Contreras.


Creole has hosted many of the best volleyball players in the north east for years and has always fostered a love of the sport, unmatched, in the New York Metropolitan area, well, until Empire Volleyball Club (shameless self promotion). Today Creole has a total of seven (7) teams. There are five men's teams; the open team (Red), three "AA" level teams (White, Blue, Black & Future) and one (1) "A/BB" team (Stack). The other team is the longest standing women's team in the New York City Area Creole's "AA" women's team. Some of the region's best women have been apart of the group. Many of whom have also coached at some of the highest levels in collegiate volleyball, from division two to division one in the NCAA.


Now GoNation


GoNation was started by former Creole member Danny Goncalves, during his stint as the head volleyball coach for his alma mater, the University of New Haven in Connecticut. The club itself is only about four years old but has grown quickly due to the diligence of Danny and now his brother, Kevin Goncalves, a former setter for both the University of New Haven and IPFW, in Fort Worth, IN. Kevin is currently playing professionally, on a first division team, in his father's native land of Portugal.


The brothers Goncalves have great ties to the Florida area, along with two neighboring local, USA Volleyball, regions of NERVA (New England Region Volleyball Association) and our region of GEVA. With those kind of ties, and the marketing sense to drive GoNation to the top, the team and club has been built quickly and with solid athletes. Players such as Theo Brunner (UC Santa Barbara) and Hudson Bates (George Mason) have played with GoNation.


In fact BOTH Goncalves brothers have had small stints with Creole and have had solid success with in their times on the court with Creole. The club of GoNation, like ours here at Empire, is just another way to foster the growth of our sport and look to make it fun for all.


The Match


It was a great match!!! From rally 1 to rally 200 (approximate total between the two teams overall) it was one of the best, fun and "connected" matches I have ever witnessed. "Connected" in terms of crowd involvement. Each team had a band of fans, mutual friends and assorted regional ties. It was a fantastic display of support from the audience.


As I mentioned before, many of the athletes on both teams have some form of history together. The brother Goncalves, have each played with Creole at a points in history. Hudson Bates, George Mason alum is a Virginia native that comes up to NYC to play in various beach tournaments throughout the years, are just some examples.


Rich Carmerlengo, of Long Island, NY, went west coast for college and brought along two of his former teammates/comrades/former opponents to Creole this year, Christopher Ongay (who played at Long Beach City College with Rich) and Alika Derego, a Hawaiian native who played at Orange Coast Community College, LBCC's rival school. As you watch the video, pay close attention to Alika, that man is one heck of a libero!!!


Factor in that many of these young guns of volleyball, have played against each other in past USA Open Nationals, and in college. This had the makings of a great heavy weight battle for the Gold Medal at Nationals. Dallas, Texas was ready for some volleyball rock versus some volleyball reggae.


Who will win, the young up starts from Connecticut or the long standing veterans from New York City?


As a special note, we here at EVC, wish both clubs incredible success in the future, and after you watch these videos of each set you will see why both teams have had such a great run at the tournament!


Please enjoy the videos and see you all on the courts.


GO EMPIRE!!!

GoNation (New England Region)
Pos	#	Player		School
S	3	Kevin Goncalves		IPFW
OH	4	Hudson Bates		GMU
OH	6	Jason Wiens		UCSB	Set #1-2
M	23	Kyles Masterson		Penn State
M	5	Theo Brunner		UCSB
RS	10	Mark Dusharme		USC
L	1	Eric Lucas		GMU
OH	8	Patrick Durbin		Ball St	Set #3-5
Creole (Garden Empire Region)
Pos	#	Player		School
S	2	Matt Werle		Juniata
OH	13	Jordan Varee		St Francis PA
OH	4	Justin Brubaker		Philly Bible
M	14	Cal Palumbo		Springfield
M	8	Rich Carmerlengo		Hope International
RS	9	Srdjan Narazdin		Long Beach
L	1	Alika Derego		Orange Coast
DS	11	Danny Yin		Queens College	Set #3-5
MH	6	Christopher Ongay		Long Beach CC	Set #5

  

ON YOUTUBE.COM
Listed in the descriptions of each video, are: Player names and number, along with school were they play(ed).

For full descriptions go to YouTube.com by double clicking the one of the videos

Set #1 

(Not Complete)

Set #2 - Part 1

Set #2 - Part 2

Set #3 - Part 1

Set #3 - Part 2

Set #3 - Part 3

Set #4 - Part 1

Set #4 - Part 2

Those are the first four (4) sets folks. I will upload set five (#5) later this month.

I hope you enjoy watching these. videos!!!

Happy New Year folks....

Go EVC!!!