No, I don’t mean that area that bulges oh so slightly over the front of your pants from having one too many beers in college. I’m talking about that instinct, that feeling drawing you one way or another. That thought you simply can’t shake, no matter how hard you try.
Well, I just followed my gut.
Some people have asked the details of the recent journey, aka “I thought you were in Colorado. Why are you in Virginia?” Well, here’s the scoop:
Last Friday, September 2, I got a text from Lee Maes, the head volleyball coach at the University of Virginia. Coach Maes was an assistant coach at Nebraska when I was a student assistant, so I worked really closely with him on recruiting and other day to day jobs. In the text, he mentioned a brand new position they’d just gotten funding for that day and wanted to know if I was interested.
Boom. Jaw hit the floor. A freight train of emotions ran at me.
I’d been talking with Lee about potential jobs ever since I graduated from Nebraska. The thought of cracking into volleyball full time has always been a dream. He mentioned I was his first inquiry and thought I would be a great fit for the job. While I was flattered that he thought of me, I was supposed to leave on Monday for my internship at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Impulsively, I thanked him for the offer, then informed him of my plan to head westward. After all, my car was literally packed and sitting outside of Brittani and Kelli’s apartment in Lincoln, ready to depart in just a few short days. I couldn’t possibly do this….or could I?!
After seeing my jaw drop and the look of absolute shock span across my face, the girls inquired about what the mysterious text said. I stammered out a few words, still in disbelief. I told them of the opportunity and they then prompted me to ask Lee further questions. With every response from him, my gut kept pulling me towards the position. He said he would get ahold of me on Sunday, talk more logistics, and go from there.
Holy smokes. Life just became an absolute whirlwind of decisions.
Sunday rolled around and I anxiously awaited Lee’s phone call. After a quick debriefing of the job, I couldn’t help but know this was the right path for me. The main job duties were to break down film and scout opponents using volleyball software. In the spring, they would aid with administrative duties as well as recruiting. Since the position is new, there are only full time duties in the fall and will eventually transition into a full Director of Operations/Technical Coordinator position.
Knowing all of this, I knew I had to make the call to my boss at the Olympic Training Center…you know, the job I was supposed to leave for the next day. After talking with her, she urged me to pursue the job at Virginia over the Olympic internship. With the way the economy is, opportunities like this rarely come around, especially ones that don't have an end date (SO APPEALING!) I readily agreed, and threw my name in my hat for the job at UVa. I did an interview with the assistants on Monday morning, then instead of heading out to Colorado Springs as originally planned, I headed north to Sioux Falls to wait out UVa’s decision. Time stood still for three days. UVa had to do a few more interviews for the position, so every day I nervously stared at my phone, hoping it would ring with good news. Thursday night around 9:30, I got the phone call from Lee offering me the job! I literally shrieked with excitement, shed a few tears, and sprinted out of my room to find my parents to give them the world’s biggest hug. They have been so supportive and backed whichever decision I made.
After all the exciting phone calls, texts, and Facebook messages, the panic set in. I was really doing this. I was going to leave the next day, drive 22 hours to a city I’d never seen, arrive without a permanent place to live, and start work that Monday.
Deep breath.
The repacking frenzy began, adding all the stuff I needed for “indefinitely” and I again, loaded up the Corolla for my adventure. I set out on Friday, stopped in Kansas City to stay with Kate, then headed to Louisville on Saturday, with my final arrival to Charlottesville being around 9:30 on Sunday night! I am staying with Lee temporarily until I find a place and had my first day today! It’s going to be a learning curve, but I know I made the right choice. My heart is in college athletics, especially volleyball. The excitement I got from Lee’s initial text was much greater than anything I felt about my opportunity in Colorado Springs. While that would’ve been a fantastic experience, I followed my gut and somehow landed in Charlottesville, VA.
So there’s the scoop! For the first time in my life, I won’t be sporting a shade of red. Instead, the closet will be plumb full of navy and orange. While I never thought I’d wear those colors (BOO AUBURN) I am so excited for my new journey and can’t wait to soak up new experiences. It’s funny the way things work out. God always has a plan, whether it’s revealed now or later. I took a chance, followed my gut, and ended up in Virginia. All I know is I have already found happiness in this new adventure and can’t wait to see what tomorrow and every day after that brings. Oh yeah, and GO HOOS!
