NYvarsity Sports

Everyone has their coach, elite athlete or even philosopher whose words inspire you to establish a code or approach that you may believe will make you a better person or do better and what you believe you are good at.

I am a simple guy, so my "guy?" Is Bill Parcels. And his motto, nugget or saying is very simple:

You are what your record says you are.

What does that mean? It means that all the training, the relationships, the lining up of your chess pieces may put you in a good place, but at the end of the day, you must face a reality.

You are either good enough...or you are not.

I know. It's cold. It's Brutal. And insensitive. And it is called that because we shaped our competitive society largely behind the motto of "it does not matter if you win or lose - it's how you play the game."

And that is real. And that is important. And even stronger in foundation. Because if we are being totally candid here, we all accept that the destination from the journey is always going to dwarf in level of interest to the journey itself. Lots of stories to tell, and they are all worth telling.

But for today, two days removed from the AVP qualifier #1, let's take this time to salute the winners who are trained on absolutes. Who were more mentally prepared for the moment. Who had "cruise control" on their energy efficiency.

There were many deserving competitors in the qualification. But at the end of the day, there can only be two winners.

Congrats to @betsiflint @kyliedeberg12 @milespartain and @paullotman - The Big Tuna would be proud. I know I am.

#nyvarsitysports #optionpodcast
Betsi Flint Paul Lotman Kylie Kuyava-Deberg

2 months ago | [YT] | 2

NYvarsity Sports

“Look, I’m interested in two kinds of people on the podcast: The interesting, and the interested.



“This whole notion that only the best players have a story to tell? Or that their path somehow means more? Is asinine. I’ve had Olympic gold medalists, and I’ve had D3 players - and their stories - on and off the court - are equally important.



“I personally think that if people knew the path that many of my guests took to get to where they are in volleyball as well as in life? On a general level, there would be more respect, and on an acute level, we would be one step closer to being a true Vb nation that we sought as individuals and as a collective whole take things to whatever next level.”

6 months ago | [YT] | 10

NYvarsity Sports

It is closing in on 6pm at Central Park. The actual sunset is closer to nine, but the man-made-turned-nature enigma provides enough shade to bring a coolness to the summer humidity. We all look forward to the evening, secure in the knowledge that a hot, sticky day always leads to a lukewarm, activities-driven night.



And in Central Park, there is always something fun at night. Shakespeare in the Park. Summer Stage. A slew of live street performances worthy of the big stage or screen.



At this point, many of the people from the Central Park sand courts have already left to go to the Wolman Rink. With a world of choices for places to be, they choose their courts. The Utopia, the escapism, the world outside of their world where for those moments, nothing matters. It is their weekly TV show, filled with satire, drama, laughs, various levels of competition, and, of course “Mojito Jay.” And though the rest of the world outside of their world may or may not think much of their world, there is a heightened certainty that they really do not care what anyone else thinks. From the Physician to the high school student, from the attorney to the receptionist, from the building manager to the day trader - here, as Bertolt Brecht would aptly title: “Man equals Man” (or woman equals woman).



Today, many of them made the active choice to attend the AVP league event. They gaze West, eyes adjusting to the sunlight through the trees. They give one last look towards the Sheep Meadow, and then “Tavern on the Green.”



When they get to Wolman Rink, they run into other people who embrace their own Utopias. Some file in from the Chinese 9-man tournament happening this weekend downtown, as well as some from a high-level, Latino-based invitational at Riverbank State Park at 145th in Harlem. More and more come through. The Russians from Brighton Beach. The Polish from South Brooklyn. The Dominicans from Washington Heights. The West Indians from Flatbush. The laughably wealthy from the Upper East and West Side. And all of the queens - from the ones from Chelsea to the ones from…well…Queens. My eye test tells me that the AVP logistics was massively underprepared for what the turnout was going to be. But somehow, someway, they made it work. The Cabanas were filled, highlighting East End volleyball who represented healthily. The court-side boxes were filled with super fans, rock star coaches, and, as always, the “Matsa.”



Above the courts, in near-peninsula fashion, was an overpass that lined up people who could not get in, as well as passers-by who stayed with interest. At one point, this crowd nearly rivaled the ones in attendance who paid to get in.



And when the darkness dominated the night, and the night lights came on, the players did what they do best. They played get-after-it volleyball - a performance worthy of a NY crowd who has automatic, profound respect for people they believe are working hard. Phil’s last ride in NYC. Harrison’s first ride. The defending champions. The worthy contenders. The best team in Canada. The best team in the world. Anyone whose first name was Taylor, wowing the crowd, doing what they do best. The “home” teams being welcomed and loved.



I am not here to promote or criticize the league. There is perception, predictive validity, and then there is reality. I am conveying the latter, via lived experience and I am here to say to the AVP the following: You won the weekend, you gained new fans, and where some only talk about growing the game, this was a great way to actually show it.



#avpbeachvolleyball #nyvarsitysports #AVP

10 months ago | [YT] | 3