Skip to main content

Cool Classes: Sand Volleyball

Kaci Black serves one up in the sand.

It’s Chucky Pham’s fifth time taking a volleyball course at Salt Lake Community College. With her second time taking the “sand” version of the class, it’s the seventh go at volleyball for Naomi Garrow.

Even the blowing sands on a windy summer day don’t discourage the pair from at least trying to tough it out sans their shoes. “I just love volleyball,” says Pham, 24, of Taylorsville. “It’s such a fun sport.” He earned his associate’s degree from SLCC a few years ago and is currently pursuing a four-year degree to become a math teacher. Garrow, 21, graduated in May from SLCC with a degree in political science and works at the Utah State Capitol during the legislative session – her first job there was through an internship she landed while at SLCC. “It’s just a good break from everyday classes,” says the future law student.

McKell Oldbull practices proper form in her sand volleyball class.

Their teacher for the class is Julie Morgan, the real deal when it comes to volleyball. Morgan was inducted into the Illinois State University Athletics Hall of Fame for her winning ways while at ISU as a head coach. Morgan’s classes, each worth one credit under SLCC’s Lifelong Wellness program, accept high school and college students, from the completely inexperienced to the likes of Pham and Garrow, who outclass most skill levels on the court most days.

McKell Oldbull, originally from the Hualapai Indian reservation in Peach Springs, Arizona, played volleyball in high school. “It’s something to occupy my time during the summer and meet new friends,” says Oldbull, 23, a criminal justice major at SLCC who someday wants to be an attorney for her tribe in Arizona and her mother’s here in Utah. Her mother is also a graduate of SLCC.

Chucky Pham has taken volleyball for credit five times.

Kaci Black, 22, is one of several volleyball students who have formed teams that compete separately from SLCC. “This is a way to get credit,” she says about taking the class. Black had two family members die of cancer, motivation for her pre-med track toward becoming an oncologist. On track to becoming an airline pilot, Peter Landry, 22, says volleyball at SLCC is a passion he only “stumbled” upon. “It was just something I had never done before,” Landry says. “So, I figured why not. It’s something new and I’m clueless about it.”

On a wind-whipped day, however, everyone quickly got a clue and moved indoors, at first to dig sand out of their ears and noses, and then to resume playing a sport they love – for college credit.


A group of students from Julie Morgan's sand volleyball course.
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

SLCC's Undergraduate Annual Research Conference Registration Deadline

Salt Lake Community College’s annual Undergraduate Projects, Performances, Presentations, and Research Conference (UP3RC) is set to take place on April 2, at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus, offering students a chance to showcase their academic achievements, fostering a culture of intellectual exchange.  The UP3RC is an annual event designed to celebrate and highlight the academic accomplishments of undergraduate students. It provides a supportive environment for students to share their work, hone their presentations skills, receive constructive feedback, and engage in meaningful discussions with their peers and faculty. All SLCC departments and programs, including faculty and staff, are encouraged to support and visit the day of the event. Students with their poster from last year's UPRC event “The goal of this event is to make sure every school and student is given the opportunity to participate,” says Dr. Kamal Bewar, interim director of the STEM Learning Center, who is chairin
Post a Comment
Read more

Rev Up Your Future at SLCC Annuals Hop into College

SLCC West Valley Center will be opening its doors on Friday, August 2, from 6-9 pm for their annual lowrider event that celebrates the automotive culture and welcomes current, past, and future Bruins into the SLCC community. This unique event allows lowriders to showcase their vehicles and for spectators to witness the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that goes into a lowrider car. From the sleek custom paint jobs to the impressive hydraulics showcased at the hop-off, attendees get immersed in the vibrant culture created by SLCC West Valley’s community. Beyond the car show, Hop into College provides prospective students and their families the opportunity to explore SLCC, engage with their future peers, staff and faculty and obtain valuable insight into the degrees and programs offered. Furthermore, the community is provided with countless beneficial resources not only as an SLCC student but as a community member. Whether interested in learning more about the lowrider community o
Post a Comment
Read more

HB 261 and HB 257 Frequently Asked Questions

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students: The Utah Legislature recently passed two bills that significantly impact higher education:  HB 261  Equal Opportunity Initiatives and HB  257  Sex-Based Designations for Privacy, Anti-Bullying, and Women’s Opportunities. Salt Lake Community College is deeply committed to our students, faculty, and staff. We strive to be a place where all are welcomed and respected. While there are many unknowns about the ultimate effect these bills will have on some student and staff support programs, be assured that SLCC will maintain an environment where all can find success and feel a sense of belonging. In the coming months, college leadership will work to gain clarity and determine the changes necessary for legislative compliance. We will also share this information as it becomes available.  We realize that during this time, some in our college community may feel unsettled and stressed. We encourage you to make use of available SLCC resources designed to support y
Post a Comment
Read more