UNSUNG HEROES: THE LIFE OF AN ASSISTANT COACH IN WVB

(Assistant Coaches Ashley Shannik and Lauren Stockstad)

For release: Wed January 28, 2009

Kamloops-Being an assistant coach is looked upon by some as a  thankless job lots of times, but for the two unpaid assistant coaches with the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s volleyball team, its is a role that they have relished this year. 

For Ashley Shannik and Lauren Stockstad are coming to the end of their first year as  unpaid assistants on the WolfPack.
Shannik, who played CIS basketball and volleyball at the University of Prince Edward Island (2001-05), is balancing coaching with teaching high school at Sa-hali.

“It’s been a challenge for sure,”the 25 year old says. “ Some days I rush over from school to practice. And then have to leave because I’m also coaching Junior basketball. But it’s been a very rewarding experience.”

Shannik  admits that her intensity as a player is something that she’s brought to the coaching realm. And it’s taken a bit for both her and the WolfPack players to get used to.  Not only does she help on the court, but she has also been responsible for the teams fundraising efforts and hosting of high school tournaments: a major revenue generator for the club.

Stockstad is one year removed from playing alongside most of the current members of the WolfPack. She admits its been an adjustment. “  It was hard at first,” she says.  “ I even live with a couple of the players (middle Lykke Degner and outside hitter Richelle Walton) .  We’re friends yet I have to be more of authoritative.  It was a big respect thing at the start of the year: I think they respect me now.”

Stockstad says its been beneficial for both her roommates because not only do they get instruction on the court at practice, but at home at the dinner table as well.  “They are forced to watch more video than usual.” She laughs.
Saying its glad to be a part of something, Stockstad has made being an assistant coach an important priority as she continues to work on a Tourism degree.  “ I hadn’t been here for very long as a player, so it’s nice to here. I’m learning so much about the game, noticing things that I didn’t as a player.  Its changed the way I look at the game and is making me want to play more now.”  She laughs.

Stockstad admits that there have been times this year where she wished she was still a player.  “ Im very fidgity on the bench.  But it’s been really rewarding to see that the pointers you give a player being accepted and used on the court.”
 Stockstad’s role on the coaching staff as been working with the teams middles—not a far stretch since that was the position she played with TRU.   She has also been a communicator between the players and head coach Cal Wohlford.
As for the future, Stockstad wants to try her luck as a professional next year in Denmark. But she hasn’t ruled out coaching in the future.

Wohlford, himself, spent over 10 years as an assistant coach at the CIS level.  If there is a head coach who knows what Ashley and Lauren are going through, it’s him.  “ They have made me feel really comfortable in my position coming in here as a first year coach.   I don’t take for granted their input on a daily basis one bit.”