LA JOLLA, Calif. – North Carolina Central University head volleyball coach Nicki Holmes traveled across the country to attend the 2015 NCAA Inclusion Forum and he was a participating guest on the topic of Sitting Volleyball Experiential Opportunity at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines hotel in the Golden State over the weekend of April 24-26.
The NCAA Inclusion Forum brings together intercollegiate athletics leaders passionate about improving the educational and professional environment for student-athletes, coaches and staff. Sessions engage on a broad range of topics related to policy, research and best practices for racial and ethnic minorities, women, international student-athletes, LGBTQ and disability-access to sport.
Holmes used his experiences to help expand and inform others in attendance on the benefits the sitting volleyball experiential opportunity would have in intercollegiate athletics. Holmes assisted the U.S. Air Force Warrior Games Sitting Volleyball Team a couple years ago and has volunteered with the USA Paralympic Sitting Volleyball Team.
“I’m honored that I got to represent NCCU at such a great forum with the NCAA, especially in a sport I’m passionate about,” said Holmes. “Adapted sports allow people to experience the reward and satisfaction of competitive sports programming. My time in the Air Force made me realize the important of the Wounded Warrior experience, and anything we can do to raise awareness is great for the community.”
Sitting volleyball was introduced to the world in the 1980 Paralympic Games. Played on a smaller court with a lower net, participants must keep at least one “cheek” on the floor when making contact with the ball. For the most part, the game is played and scored in the same manner as standard volleyball other than the players being seated on the floor to allow participants with different types of disabilities to play volleyball.
Adapted sports such as sitting volleyball have the ability to expand horizons of who can participate in and experience the rewards of sport. Led by Team USA Paralympian’s, attendees to the Sitting Volleyball Experiential Opportunity will experience and/or observe sitting volleyball up close and develop a greater understanding of what is possible when willing to ‘adapt.’
Holmes believes his involvement with the NCAA Inclusion Forum on the Sitting Volleyball Experiential Opportunity has and will continue to help educate and open up opportunities in the future.