CAYVA
Community Area Youth Volleyball Association
(Chaska, Chanhassen, Victoria, Carver, East Union)
952.368.9630 or Email
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Chaska High School Volleyball
The History of CAYVA - Part 1
INTRODUCTION
In October of 1994, Bob Ohnsorg, Mark Lundgren, Ted Fleener (CHS Coach), Mike & Sue Murphy and Dan & Mary Daly met in the Murphy's kitchen to discuss forming a new volleyball organization from two existing Junior Olympic (J.O.) clubs. Shortly thereafter, a group of parents met and the Chaska Area Youth Volleyball Association was born. That first parent meeting steering committee, consisting of Nancy Borman, Dan Daly, Ed Hammers, Rae Ann Happ, George Kelzer, Mark Lundgren, Bob Ohnsorg and Rick Tollackson embarked on a frenzied schedule of meetings and activities to get CAYVA up and running for November tryouts and the J.O. season. It's been said, "it is important to know where you've been, in order to get where you want to go." Those words were never more appropriate as CAYVA experiences a significant transition. At the beginning of the 1997-98 Junior season, there were three of the original parents "founders" of CAYVA active on the board, and at the end, there is one. Co-Chair George Kelzer and Treasurer Bob Ohnsorg are leaving those positions. To say that these two have made great contributions to Chaska volleyball would be an understatement. George has done just about everything during his approximately 6 years including: coach, shag balls, parent rep, chaperone, chauffer, league & tourney registrations, travel arrangements & itineraries, mediation and assorted other co-chair duties. Bob, in his approximate 10 years with Chaska volleyball, has also done many of those duties, while concentrating on the enormous and important job of tending the finances. While the benefits of their efforts to the organization have been obvious, it's the vision and integrity they've contributed that will endure. CAYVA is a community based, family values-oriented organization with a mission to develop young people into successful citizens because of individuals like George and Bob. We thank them for their contributions, and hope that similar leaders with emerge. What follows is a brief (and probably incomplete) history of volleyball in the Chaska area. It is meant as a beginning and work in progress to recognize individuals and accomplishments that have shaped a program that we can all be proud of. We welcome corrections and additions.
CHASKA HIGH SCHOOL
Following the establishment of girl’s interscholastic athletics in the early 1970's, Chaska first burst on the scene with a 3rd place finish at the 1975 State Tournament. Mary Daly, recently anointed the "Queen Mother of Chaska Volleyball" as the recipient of the 1998 Crystal Achievement Award for Athletics, was the first coach. Mary guided the Hawks through the 1988 season; ending with 4th place finishes in the 1987 and 1988 State Tournaments. That was the beginning of an incredible run of State Tournament success. Starting in 1989, CHS has appeared in 6 of 8 State Championship matches, winning 4 and finishing 3rd once. That translates into a top 4 finish in 9 of the last 11 years! Ted Fleener was the coach of 3 State Champions and one runner-up during his 5 years, and our current coaches; Sue Murphy and Judy Martinez-Sones have guided the Hawks to 1 Championship and 1 runner-up finish in their 2 years.
JUNIOR OLYMPICS
Ted Fleener explained the development of youth volleyball as a "reverse pyramid". This was due to the emphasis on developing world-class players through the U.S. Volleyball Junior Olympic Program before there were large numbers of girls in recreational "feeder" programs. Consequently, programs that emphasized competition, travel and long seasons (dictated by Nationals at the end of June) became the norm as volleyball grew in popularity. Jim Murphy of Chanhassen used this model to found one of the first area J.O. clubs in the early mid-eighties. Murphy's teams traveled extensively and were very successful, garnering a J.O. National Championship. Jim is often credited with establishing prominence for Chaska J.O. Volleyball. Sue Murphy (no relation) coached and was instrumental in operating the club when Jim left. Upon retiring as CHS coach and seeing increased interest in volleyball, Mary Daly started another J.O. club in 1988. While Murphy's club was modeled after the J.O. prototype and limited in participants, the Daly club was created along the lines of a community athletic association providing competitive opportunities for more girls. As both clubs flourished, and the competitive philosophies evolved, it became obvious that the youth of our community would be better served through one organization.
CAYVA
When the 2 clubs merged in 1994, the playing philosophies had become quite similar; seek the best competition possible. Only the parents' perspective on how to fulfill that differed. Originally, the Murphy club traveled long distances, included players from outside the community and focused on qualifying for the U.S. Volleyball Nationals. The Daly club stressed cost containment through limited car travel, community only players and went to the AAU Nationals in Chicago (a secondary sponsoring organization). At the time of the merger, both groups were in agreement regarding community only players and the value of aspiring to the USVB Nationals. While there were differences among Steering Committee members, the common bond was the sense of community and the best interests of our youth. Rick Tollackson was instrumental in wording a mission that included these key concepts:
- Provide a program that would accommodate all skill levels and provide equal opportunity to grow as a player and person.
- Provide an organization that included parent and player participation in operations and decision-making.
- Form community partnerships.
The first item has been constantly evolving, and may continue to as we strive to continually improve. We seem to have a good formula for the top teams, but struggle with the conflict between player development and recreational play for other teams. We trust that the second item will contribute to the first as parent and player involvement has been outstanding. The intent was to create an environment emphasizing participation, so parents and players feel they have a voice in the direction of the program. The community spirit generated by our many volunteers has been gratifying. Finally, key associations have been formed with a variety of community partners. The City of Chaska Park, Recreation and Arts Department is our official sponsor that allows access to City and District #112 facilities. We also co-sponsor Youth Developmental Clinics with the City, that allow our coaches and players the opportunity to give something back to the community by serving as instructors. The District #112 Activities Office and Community Education Department have also been involved with CAYVA activities and facility usage. The Chaska Legion has provided financial support as well as use of their facility, while the Chanhassen Legion and Chaska VFW have also provided significant financial support. Many other community businesses and organizations have also been generous in supporting our fundraising activities.
COACHES
While parents rightfully administer a community athletic association, it can't be successful without the technical expertise and guidance of quality coaches, preferably the high school staff. We have been lucky in that regard. Just as the aforementioned parent "founders" were important to the structure and operation of the organization, so too are the coach "founders", Mary Daly and Sue & Mike Murphy, important to the substance of CAYVA. Mary's history with CHS and J.O.'s has been well chronicled, and continues through her involvement with the Middle School Program and Developmental Clinics. Sue, who played for Chaska and has been coaching at CHS and/or the Junior level since the early eighties, has been the backbone of CAYVA since the merger. In addition to coaching the 14's, she is the Coaching Coordinator and serves on the Board providing invaluable volleyball expertise and resources to the organization. Through the years, Mary and Sue have touched the lives of hundreds of players by providing skills and instilling a set of values, a sense of competitiveness and a love for the game that allows them to achieve success. More recently, Mike Murphy, who started coaching in 1993, has been a key contributor as coach for 16's and 18's, setters and sharing the Coaching Coordinator position. While parent leaders come and go, stability in the coaching leadership is essential for an organization like CAYVA. We are very fortunate to have the dedicated leadership of quality coaches and school staff.
CONCLUSION
This history, (maybe it wasn't so brief) was meant to explain how CAYVA evolved, and recognize accomplishments, individuals and organizations that have been instrumental in making this a quality organization. There are many others who could've been mentioned, we'll save them for Part 2. If the success of our high school program is a source of community pride, we can all be proud of the contributions of our youth volleyball association. CAYVA teams and parents are recognized nationally for quality play and good sportsmanship. The elite junior clubs (recently changed from J.O.) assemble all-star teams, while CAYVA strives to develop the youth of our community. We think it pays off at the high school level as well as in the lives of our children. As George Kelzer and Bob Ohnsorg leave their active roles with CAYVA, lets celebrate their accomplishments as well as those of all past, present and future volunteers who help make CAYVA a quality organization.
Dan Daly, Co-Chair
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