#playerinterview

It was senior Scott Hickman's final game as a Windsor Lancer this past February, or should we say the last game with a number on his back. Hickman is incredibly excited to join the coaching staff at the University of Windsor and follows Lancer alumni Jimmy El-Turk, Kyle Williamson and Will Alexander. Hickman will be finishing his Bachelor of Human Kinetics, specializing in Sport Management, as balancing his volleyball and academic career proved to be difficult for the Memorial-transfer.

After his graduation, Hickman hopes to pursue his Masters in Sport Management, preferably at Windsor obviously so he will able to continue coaching with the Lancers.

Hickman is no stranger to coaching, as he already has his Level II NCCP,  a huge step for a young coach as the process is quite in-depth at this level. The Level II Coaching certification includes the following:

Analyzing performance: Candidates will be expected to reference and apply appropriate models to identify important aspects of performance that the athletes need to improve.

Planning a practice: Candidates will be expected to develop practice plans which are relevant to their athletes and take into consideration their performance capacities, performance goals, seasonal training phases, and athlete safety.

Planning and designing a sport program: Candidates will be required to demonstrate the ability to design a sport program which is consistent with the guidelines of Volleyball Canada’s Athlete Development Model and is appropriate for the athlete’s age group, skill level and aimed at improving performance.

Providing support in training: In a volleyball specific environment, conduct activities that are enjoyable, safe, structured, and consistent with NCCP and Canadian volleyball philosophy and values

Supporting the competitive experience: During and/or leading to a competition, provide support to the participants/athletes in a manner that is consistent with the NCCP and Canadian volleyball philosophy and values.

Program management: Take measures to ensure the needs of the participants/athlete and the sport programs/activities under the coach’s responsibility are met.

Ethical coaching: Analyze a situation that has ethical implications and that is frequently encountered in the coaching context. Propose a course of action consistent with the NCCP Code of ethics, philosophy, and values.

Hickman has previously coached junior high school from 2005-2011 as well as with Team Newfoundland for 3-4 years every summer during his time as a Lancer. At one point Hickman was coaching three teams simultaneously!

After finishing up his Masters, Hickman hopes to work in a professional or university sport setting. Obviously the Windsor program is enticing with its' internship options, and could provide pathways for Hickman into his future career.

Although Hickman's playing days are over, we can't wait to see him back in the St. Denis still helping steer the Lancers to an OUA championship!

(photo source: Edwin Tam)

Third-year Andrew Chelladurai has been crucial to the Lancer's starting line up, but he's hiding a more more rounded skill set than most know. Chelladurai, or "Chella" to his friends, sits atop the OUA top 10 for Total Assists and Assists per Game, and also managed to have the highest kill percentage/efficiency amongst the OUA setters thanks to some quick and decisive plays this season. Before coming to the University of Windsor Chella was a member of the Forest City Volleyball Team, Region 3 Team at the Ontario Summer Games and Team Ontario at the National Team Challenge Cup (NTCC).

It appears that Chella has truly found his sport and passion, but there is  much more than meets the eye. Chella is also an active participant in the competitive realm of 'Super Smash Bros' for the GameCube gaming system. Although he was interested in the game as a child, he o rediscovered the game in first year university residence. Super Smash Bros has gained media notoriety after American Ken Hoang won over $50,000 from the game (in tournaments and national championships), which paid his way through college.  first competitive tournament was in September 2013 using the Nintendo64 (N64) gaming system, where he placed 3rd. His volleyball teammates frequently try to best Chella at the game, but the losses come few and far between. Although Chella sees a parallel in the hand eye coordination required for both volleyball and Super Smash Bros, he says that's where the similarities end. Practising for Super Smash consists of about half an hour a day, where over 15 hours of Chelladurai's week is dedicated to volleyball, including practises, games, workouts, therapy and meetings. He mused that watching videos online of Super Smash Bros World Championships is also similar to  watching game tape of opponents in OUA volleyball. Chella isn't quite sure where his future in competitive gaming is headed, but is turning his focus to volleyball as the playoffs loom ahead. Nevertheless it appears that the Lancers may have an advantage of having such a multifaceted athlete quarterbacking their team, and we encourage all to challenge Chella at either game.

(January 28th, 2014)