Spring Break
Coach Cole Tallman relishes in his new environment with GWU Volleyball
Jared Smith
Issue date: 10/16/03 Section: Sports
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Tallman is in his first season coaching the GWU Lady Bulldog volleyball team, but has been involved with volleyball elsewhere for over twenty years.
When he left the University of Saint Thomas, where he coached volleyball and taught, Tallman was impressed with the atmosphere at Gardner-Webb.
"Just in case the students, faculty, and staff haven't realized it, every week they're here it is so clear to this new member of the community why people love this university so much," said Tallman. "Like any great university, it's always the people that make it so special."
Volleyball is important in Tallman's life, but it comes secondary to his children. He has two daughters, one in third grade, the other in fifth, and a son that is a sophomore in college. He and his children enjoy spending time together doing activities such as camping, canoeing, kayaking and hiking.
"At least a couple times a month, we are riding the restored carousel or train at the park," said Tallman. "When not doing all of those [things] we're a family of nerds, so we're at the library, either on campus or in Shelby."
Tallman likes to paint and draw, and is fascinated by geology and astronomy. He even built his home 3,000 feet above sea level on Paris Mountain in Greenville, S.C. with the purpose of gaining a better view of the stars.
Before making the hour drive to work, Tallman likes to take a walk, preferably down by the river near his home. He then heads to GWU where he prepares for the day, by making a to do list, then placing volleyball related business phone calls.
Once the business side of Tallman's job is done, he transitions into practice. "You do 95 percent of your job to get the two hours in the gym working with elite student athletes," said Tallman.
As for the success of the volleyball team, Tallman believes winning comes from the dedicated and talented upperclassman and strong core of newcomers.
"We need to be better than five other teams to make the tournament," said Tallman. "Once you make the tournament anything is possible, and I like our chances very much of making it."
The returning players on the team have witnessed the winning techniques that Tallman has brought to the team and accept these techniques willingly.
"Ever since he's been here his knowledge about volleyball is insurmountable," said senior Sara Alford. "He's turned our team around and it's only going to go up from here."