The AVCA Diversity Development Team is proud to announce the winner of its 2025 AVCA Volleydictorian Award is Meika Gardner, club coach and former high school volleyball coach from Mobile, Alabama.
Meika spent over 25 years with the Mobile County Public Schools as an educator and transition teacher, working with parents and administrators to construct individualized education plans designed to promote success for the segment of student served by transition services. She was named Transition Teacher of the Year by the State of Alabama Governor’s Council in 2015 for her dedication to student success and innovative teaching methods.
In addition to her work as an educator, Meika served as girls high school volleyball coach at Blount High School and Williamson High School prior to her retirement. Her commitment to serving the students of Mobile also included three years as middle school athletic director.
“Meika has had a storied career as an educator, teacher, coach, and mentor in the Mobile area of America for many years,” said Ann Schilling, head girls volleyball coach at Bayside Academy in Alabama. “She is an incredible colleague, one that I immeasurably value for the path that she has embraced and the lives she has touched and added measures of success that will last throughout their lives.”
In 2002, Meika began working with Starlings Volleyball USA as a local club director in Mobile. In 2012, she led her U12 team to a gold medal winning performance at the Starlings National Tournament in San Diego, California. Meika, who was a 2023 AVCA Diversity Award recipient, continues to mentor youth volleyball players and support the work of the Gulf Coast Region of USA Volleyball as a volunteer.
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The AVCA Diversity Development Team accepted a recommendation in 2020 to create the AVCA Volleydictorian Award. Presented annually, the award continues for 2025 and recognizes a deserving coach who represents the spirit of the AVCA’s coach development initiatives and embodies leadership in the sport of volleyball, on and off the court. Turning a moment into a movement! #BeAMovement
Special thanks to Baden Sports for their support of the this award and AVCA’s engagement initiatives.
Past Winners:
2021 – Phil Evans, AVCA Diversity Award, Class of ’20
2022 – Dr. Anitra Brockman, AVCA Diversity Award, Class of ’20
2023 – Thais Baziquetto-Allen, AVCA Diversity Award, Class of ’20
2024 – Larry Wrather, AVCA Diversity Award, Class of ’20
