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MOREHEAD, Ky. – Self-defense training, virtual reality firearm experience, driving course races and being tasered. Those don’t sound much like your typical collegiate volleyball preseason practice, but for the Morehead State Eagles, it’s exactly what “practice” consisted of last week when the squad participated in a unique team-building exercise at the Louisville Police Department Academy.
The Eagle players and coaches all benefitted from the Academy’s team-building training as they went through a variety of activities that law enforcement personnel experience every day.
“It was such a fun day. It was great for team bonding, and it was just as productive as if we would have been on the court,” said senior hitter Holly Evans.
The team had some classroom time learning about different team-building techniques and what it takes to become a successful team. The Eagles also learned self-defense techniques and even were afforded the opportunity to practice them on the “red man” – a special combat suit designed to train law enforcement on potential attackers.
"Not only did we gain a new appreciation for the police force, we also got a chance to see how our team members react in high-stress and uncomfortable situations,” said redshirt junior blocker Emma Keough. “The experience brought us closer together and gave us a new perspective on teamwork."
The Eagles also got to experience some firearm techniques and utilized them in a virtual reality setting. Perhaps the most exciting part of the day, though, was when the players got to watch as coaches Jaime Gordon and Greg Goral were on the receiving end of the police taser gun. According to Gordon, it was “intense” for about five seconds.
"We had to trust each other to get through the different tasks, but we also kept a competitive attitude, and we got a new appreciation for policemen,” said senior hitter Kaitlin Craven.
Senior setter Kirstie Brangers also believed the day helped her and the team to realize just how difficult, but rewarding, life can be in law enforcement.
"It helped us build team unity, and we got a new respect for what cops do on a daily basis,” she said.
“We want to thank the Louisville Police Department Academy for a great day. I thought it was an excellent experience, and this will help us to bond as a team as we get closer to the season opener. If we can take some of the things we learned and remember them throughout the year, we will be successful,” said Gordon.