By Hope Cronkright
Your Life Editor

New leadership has changed the face of Cornerstone woman’s volleyball. This year, Ryan Campbell received his first position as a head coach at the college level.

Campbell has climbed from high school coaching to college coaching at a very early age. He is nationally honored with the American Volleyball Coaches Association “Thirty under 30 Award,” which was published in an issue of the “AVCA Coaching Volleyball” magazine.

As part of his new responsibilities, he has to plan strategic plays for the team at crucial points and handle the team finances with scholarships and the budget.

“[Coaching is] awesome!” Campbell said. “It is nice to coach Christian athletes.”

“I developed a love for volleyball at a young age, but it was not until college that my passion for volleyball transformed into coaching.”

“I found my passion for volleyball growing up and watching my sister play. Her high school team won two Illinois state championships,” he said. “Also, in Illinois I had the privilege to compete in boy’s volleyball. I played from eighth grade until I was a senior in high school.”

The steps Campbell has taken to get where he is today, he explains with this advice: “If a person wants to achieve more, they must be willing to volunteer their time and effort. A person should start building their resume during college, take every opportunity that comes their way and do exceptional work even if it is unpaid.”

Campbell graduated from CU, majoring in physical education and minoring in both coaching and health education. He was hired as an assistant by Steve Burmaster four years ago.

Campbell sasid, “I majored in physical education, but I have a stronger passion to coach volleyball. Right now I plan on coaching volleyball as my career.”

For the past four years in the off season, Campbell has coached AAU U-16 for both Carpe Diem and Far Out Volleyball Clubs.

He said, “I believe the prime reason why I was chosen as the head coach is because I had been with the program for three years and I had a good understanding of the program.”

Campbell has also served as a camp coach at the University of Hawaii, Penn State University, University of Michigan, University of Notre Dame and Bowling Green State University.

In more than one way “he’s a promoter,” said freshman defensive specialist Larissa Deshetsky. “Coach wants to have a lot of students involved,” but also “he is encouraging.”

Freshman middle hitter Kate Zwier said, “He is a definitely a coach that wants to win so he tries to put the best people on the court.”

Campbell plans to have give aways, where there will be opportunities to win free stuff during matches. A new Facebook group named the Cornerstone University Women’s Volleyball Fans currently has about 400 members.

Campbell’s humor has stood out to his volleyball players. “He is hilarious,” Zwier said. “We have a good time. It’s funny because Coach randomly mixes up his words and [the team] starts laughing.”

Campbell “would like to thank Dave Grube, Mike Riemersma, Phil Keith, Layne Kreh, Rebecca Baker, and the rest of the Cornerstone Athletic staff for helping with the 2009 season. I also want to say thank you to my parents-Tom and Pam Campbell for helping me get this far. Finally, I thank God for given me this opportunity. ‘In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps’ (Proverbs 16:9).”