On January 4, 2008, VolleyFX will be hosting the 2nd Annual Hall of Fame Gala. The event will be held at the Monroe Country Club. Dinner guests are invited to arrive at 6:30 p.m. for dinner and a silent auction to benefit the club. The induction ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. This year’s inductees include the following people who have made an outstanding contribution to the success of the club:

Christie Gustafson

Christie was a three-year VolleyFX player since 16-under and was a member of the first Magic team, in 2002. Following high school, Christie was a scholarship athlete at Siena College from 2003-2007, where she was named 2006-2007 Siena College Female Student Athlete of the Year. Christie’s accomplishments at Siena are almost too long to list: 2007 All-MAAC First Team, 2007 MAAC Tournament MVP, 2007 MAAC All-Academic Team, 2006 Second Team All-MAAC, 2006 MAAC Tournament MVP, 2006 MAAC All-Academic Team, 2005 MAAC All-Academic Team.

Christie has definitely impacted Rochester volleyball in a positive way. This from Magic coach Rob Werkmeister: “Christie was the first Magic player, as a Junior she helped define what our club was, and what it was going to be. She helped us start our winning tradition—not just on the court, more importantly off the court. She and her family believed that it was about more than volleyball, and that we were teaching life lessons through volleyball. She knew that we trained to be winners in life, and she embraced that and succeeded as is evidence in her college career, her academics and now her professional life.”

She also greatly impacted the people she came in contact with at Siena College, including her coach, Garvey Pierre. “I always believed in Christie. She is one of the finest volleyball players I have ever coached. Christie can deliver when it really matters. She possesses all the qualities one could ask for in a student-athlete.”

Christie’s volleyball career has now come full circle and is a coach for Mantra.

Mantra

Mantra was the first Volley FX team to win Regionals and qualify for the USA Volleyball Championships. With eleven players from nine different schools, the team truly represented the Greater Rochester Community and WEVA Region. Mantra 2002-03 was a true example of what it means to be successful student-athletes, as they are being recognized for their achievements as scholar-athletes and league all-stars within their school programs.

Chris Parks was Mantra’s coach, and had this to say. “Mantra was truly a family, and every moment that we spent training, practicing, playing, traveling, and just being a team, was a cherished one. They were selfless in their acts, and they embodied what it means to "put team first." Their mental toughness was tremendous and their unity, athleticism, and talent were absolutely amazing to witness. They sacrificed everything for each other, and in doing so, became a team that was unbreakable. They played for each other and were an omnipresent reminder to Kristie Karelus and me that coaching is an incredible opportunity. They did more than just become the first VolleyFX team to win Regionals and qualify for Nationals; they helped to set the standard for what it means to be a true team and family. This team had a tremendous impact on me as a person, and I became a better coach because of them. It was an absolute privilege and honor to have been one of their coaches, and they will remain in my heart and mind for the rest of my life.”

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It's a MANTRA thing. You wouldn't understand.

Cathy Hummel

Cathy has been instrumental in the growth of volleyball, specifically girls junior volleyball, in Western New York since 1997. A wonderful and highly recruited volleyball player herself, and a scholarship athlete at both James Madison University and Hofstra University, Cathy has taken the VolleyFX mantra of "pay it forward" to the next level. After record setting years as a player in high school, college and at the Empire State Games, Cathy focused on giving back to the sport by leaving a lucrative financial position in NYC to be a coach. First coming to Western New York in 1997, she began with an immediate impact as the co-coach of the Empire State Games - providing athletes from Western New York with a higher level of training and commitment to the game. Reaching beyond that scope, she has coached for Cheetah, Niagara-Frontier, and has served as a clinician for VolleyFX. Leader of numerous camps and clinics across Buffalo and Rochester, Cathy's most notable impact came when she was the first to "believe" - to believe in OUR athletes, OUR goals, and OUR club. Never afraid to cross into new territory, Cathy Hummel offered VolleyFX their first scholarship athlete of the modern era in 2002. Continuing to "believe" in what our athletes have worked for, she again offered at least one scholarship to a VolleyFX athlete every year since that year - taking players in 2004 and 2005.

An undying supporter of the game, Cathy makes everyone around her better - with connections to many great VolleyFX players and coaches. She has reached out to more than a dozen of our athletes who are now playing around the country on full-scholarship. She has also reached out to our coaches - Rob Werkmeister, Candi Werkmeister, Jason Pariseau and Matt Glover have all been blessed to coach with her, or have been given opportunities to coach because of her. 

As stated best by Rob, "Cathy knows the game better than any coach that I have been able coach with, she holds the players and coaches accountable and pushes players to believe that they can experience the game at a higher level. She has not only impacted the players she coached, but has been a significant impact on me personally as an elite level coach."

Those interested in attending can do so by purchasing one of the following packages:
Dinner and Ceremony*: $50 per person or $35 per player
DRESS CODE: No jeans. Slacks and a dress shirt are required.
Checks may be made out to VolleyFX.
*Table reservations may be made by groups of 8-10 people. RSVP to Becky Nickel at NICKELS4@aol.com or (585)924-4492.

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