This is something I really can't hold back anymore…read more
Mind you, my son is not the best player, nor is he a great setter. But he has heart. He has fight. He has the drive to succeed. He's a winner in my book.
Last year, in 2025, our team finished in the Top 9 out of 97 teams at Nationals. We all thought we'd run it back this season.
This fall, my son was offered a spot on the team. We were ecstatic and couldn't wait for the season to begin. Then my son told me there were three setters on the roster.
I thought, "That's interesting."
So I called the coach to clarify.
I asked, "So my son will have to compete for the setter position?"
That's perfectly fine with us.
My son relishes a challenge. He has always shown tenacity, energy, intensity, and motivation. When he has to fight for his position, he rises to the occasion.
What came next absolutely shocked me.
The coach said, "No, he won't play. Even if he shows his abilities, he will not play."
I asked, "What are you saying? You're telling me that no matter how hard my son works in practice, no matter how much he improves, he will not play at all?"
He replied, "That's correct. I'm already set on my two setters."
Let that sink in.
No matter how hard he works...
No matter how much he improves...
No matter what he proves in practice...
He will not play.
Then why invite him onto the team? Why ask families to commit thousands of dollars if the decision has already been made? Why give a child hope if there was never going to be an opportunity?
The only consolation we were given was this:
"If one of the setters gets injured, your son MAY have a chance to play."
I've been involved in sports for decades. I've played. I've coached. I even run my own youth basketball league. This is the very first time I've ever heard a coach tell a player, before the season even begins, that no matter how hard they work, they will never have an opportunity.
This isn't about my son being guaranteed playing time.
This isn't about demanding a starting position.
This is about telling a child that effort doesn't matter.
That sacrifice doesn't matter.
That the extra hours, the missed weekends, the long drives, the money parents spend, the belief that hard work creates opportunity... none of it matters because the decision has already been made.
What kind of message are we sending our kids?
Imagine your own son hearing those words.
Imagine explaining to your child that no matter how hard they train, no matter how much they improve, they were never truly given a chance.
That breaks a young athlete.
I have tremendous respect for Kenji, Coach Patrick, and many others on the SGV staff. This isn't about them. It's about who we entrust to lead and mentor our children.
Coaches are supposed to motivate. They're supposed to inspire. They're supposed to teach kids that if you work hard enough, you can earn your opportunity.
Not tell them, "You've already lost before you even begin."
SGV is one of the best if not "THE BEST"volleyball clubs in the San Gabriel Valley. That's exactly why I'm speaking up.
Because reputations aren't built solely on trophies and national rankings.
They're built on values.
Every parent who writes that check is trusting that their child will be developed, encouraged, challenged, and given an opportunity to earn their place.
Not promised a role.
Not guaranteed a position.
But given a chance.
For context, my son plays Varsity at Arcadia High School and was a rotating starting setter as a junior. He isn't asking for anything to be handed to him.
He's simply asking for the same thing every young athlete deserves:
A chance.
And to the owners of SGV: please don't let this become the culture of a club that so many families have trusted and respected.
Our kids deserve better.
They deserve honesty.
They deserve hope.
Most of all, they deserve a chance.
NEGATIVE ZERO STAR FOR THE COACH!! 5 STARS FOR THE PROGRAM!
