“I have always loved volleyball. But mostly, I am one of the lucky ones—because the game I loved loved me back.”

There are moments in life when you realize that a single coach, a single opportunity, or a single decision changed everything.

For me, volleyball became that opportunity.

Long before I ever stepped onto a high school volleyball court, I had already played five different sports. Each one taught me something valuable—how to compete, how to move, how to listen, how to be part of a team, and how to keep going when life became difficult. Looking back, I didn’t realize those experiences were preparing me for the game that would ultimately shape my life.

I was fortunate that a local high school coach saw something in me before I fully saw it in myself. His advice was simple:

“Pass and set against a wall.”

Those countless repetitions developed my touch, my confidence, and my love for learning. More importantly, they taught me one of life’s greatest lessons:

Improvement doesn’t happen overnight. It happens one repetition at a time.

Growing to 6-foot-4 certainly helped, but height alone never made anyone a champion. The adults around me told me the truth early—positions are earned, never given. If I wanted to become great, I would have to outwork everyone around me.

Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was…But most of all, I was fortunate because the game I loved loved me back…Volleyball has taken me farther than I ever imagined.

It allowed me to wear the USA jersey, compete on the Olympic stage, travel the world, play professionally in Japan, coach at the collegiate level, and spend decades developing young athletes through Rocket City Volleyball Club in Huntsville, Alabama.

I have stood on an Olympic podium…I have played in arenas around the world… I have coached athletes chasing championships.

Yet after all these years, one of my favorite places remains a gym full of young players learning how to pass a volleyball.

That is where the future begins.

Somewhere along my journey, I realized that my greatest contribution to volleyball would never be another medal, award, or championship.

It would be helping someone else discover what this game could do for them.

Volleyball gave me confidence before I knew I needed it.

It taught me how to fail without quitting.

It taught me that teammates often become family.

It taught me to respect my opponents because they challenged me to become better.

It taught me that leadership is earned through service.

Those lessons have lasted far longer than any medal hanging on my wall.

Years ago, I made two promises to myself.

The first was that my family would always come first.

The second was that I would dedicate my life to serving the young people in my community.

Today, even though my sons are grown, those promises to continue to guide me. Every practice is another opportunity to encourage one more athlete, build one more relationship, and make a difference in one more young person’s life.

That is what continues to inspire me…Not recognition…Not titles…Not trophies.

The opportunity to positively impact another child’s future.

I am sure there are many people throughout the Huntsville–Madison community who do not know I was an Olympian, and many others who may not care. And that is perfectly okay. Every community has different perspectives. Every organization faces challenges. Every coach eventually learns that criticism is part of leadership.

What matters most to me today is not whether people remember what I accomplished as a player. What matters is whether the young athletes who walk into our gym leave believing a little more in themselves than they did when they arrived. If I can help one child discover confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love for the game, then I have accomplished something far greater than any medal.

That has become my greatest victory…But my passion for volleyball has never changed…Neither has my belief in young people.

Today’s athletes sometimes grow up believing there is a shortcut to greatness. Social media can create the illusion that success comes quickly or that talent alone is enough.

It isn’t…Champions are not built by convenience…They are built by consistency.

Coach Nick Saban often says, “It takes what it takes”… Those words apply just as much to volleyball as they do to coaching and life.

If you are a player, embrace the work. The repetitions no one sees become the confidence everyone notices. Pass against the wall. Serve one more ball. Take one more repetition. Listen to the correction. Learn from failure. Keep showing up.

If you are a parent, celebrate the process instead of only the outcome. Encourage your child through difficult days. Help them understand that confidence grows through effort, perseverance, and patience—not entitlement.

If you are a coach, never underestimate your influence.

You may be leading the only practice a child looks forward to all week.

You may be the adult who helps a young athlete believe in themselves again.

You may be teaching lessons about discipline, accountability, teamwork, resilience, and courage that will remain long after the final match has been played.

Be demanding…Be consistent…Be encouraging…Teach the game the right way.

Love your athletes enough to tell them the truth…Because we are doing far more than coaching volleyball.

We are building character…We are developing future leaders…We are shaping the next generation.

Every practice matters.

Every word matters.

Every child matters.

That is why I continue to show up…I continue to teach.

I continue to believe in young athletes before they believe in themselves.

Because somewhere inside every gym is a child waiting to discover the joy this game can bring.

And if they are fortunate enough to fall in love with volleyball, my greatest hope is that volleyball will love them back, too.

Live It.

Love It.

Coach It.

Rose Magers-Powell is a 1984 Olympic Silver Medalist with the USA Women’s Volleyball National Team.  She played professionally and coached collegiately.  She continues to serve as Founder and Director of Rocket City Volleyball Club in Huntsville, Alabama.

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