The coaching team featured Concordia's own Curtis Madson alongside Lead Coach Rory Prager (USC), Nickie Sanlin (McKendree), Larry Wrather (Fort Valley State), Jordan Goldberg (Masters), Andy Reid (USA Volleyball), and Sean Fontellio (Lionheart VBC). As many of us tune in to the Winter Olympics, Concordia University Wisconsin’s head men’s volleyball coach, Curtis Madson, reflects on his time spent this past December working with the USA Volleyball’s National Team Development Program in California.
Madson worked at the Anaheim facility with a total of 31 athletes who were selected to train with the hopes of garnering a spot on the U20 Youth National Team, which will compete at the NORCECA Championship in June. The premier, international volleyball tournament periodically serves as a critical qualifier for the Olympic Games.
“Being asked to represent Team USA is one of the greatest honors of my coaching career. I am not sure I have words to describe the pride and honor of being asked to be in that gym,” said Madson, one of the few NCAA Division III coaches asked to work in the program. “In our sport, Team USA is the highest level you can coach at, and to be part of that pipeline and program is amazing. I will always be grateful and honored to have had the opportunity and experience.”
Bringing it back to campus
Madson, who has served as the head coach for Concordia’s men’s volleyball program during its entire nine seasons, brought those experiences back to campus, where they now inform the Falcons’ development.
“Being in the gym and planning sessions with such a high-level staff collaborating has allowed me to bring back new ideas, or reimagined ideas to our training and systems,” Madson said. “One of the greatest benefits is just the networking and conversations had in the meeting rooms, and around meals about volleyball in general. Coming back from Anaheim, I was able to introduce some of those ideas, and changes on day one to our gym — changes that have benefited us for the better.”
Some of those changes include new and revised offensive and defensive strategies and tactics.
Sophomore Hayden Hurley, a setter on the Concordia men’s volleyball team, said he has long known that Madson is a great coach. When he learned that Madson had been selected to coach at the national team level, Hurley said it affirmed what the team already believed. “I knew we were lucky to have the best,” he said. “It meant we were getting the highest level of training, coaching, and strategy possible.”
Mission minded
Hurley, who hails from Gilbert, Ariz., came to CUW to study business. As a member of the Business Scholars program, he will earn his MBA in just four years. He appreciates that being part of the volleyball team allows him to live out Concordia’s mission both in the classroom and on the court.
“Coach makes sure we understand why we do what we do,” Hurley said. “We have the opportunity to do this because of the Lord’s plan for us. He reminds us how fortunate we are and how blessed we are.”
Madson feels called to work with young athletes, helping to develop them in mind, body and spirit. His advice is simple: Never stop chasing the dream. “Continue to work hard and take every opportunity you have to raise your level of play,” he said. “You never know which day or event a scout might be watching, or whom you might impress. If it is your dream, throw everything you have into it.”
With Madson leading the program, it’s not hard to envision a Concordia volleyball player one day competing at the Olympics.
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Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world.