Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Teacher and Coach: Bellarmine volleyball coach Patrick Adams was recently named ESPN's 'School Sports Magazine' coach of the month in Northern California for March. Patrick, who started the volleyball program at Bellarmine in 1995, is also a science teacher.
Volleyball coach awarded coach of the month title
By Melissa Matchak
Volleyball coach Patrick Adams humbly admits that being named as coach of the month by ESPN's School Sports Magazine was a little embarrassing, and quickly gives credit to his team for its impressive records.
"I'm honored, it's very nice to be recognized," Adams said. "But the team record belongs to the players, I don't take credit for that."
Adams, a Willow Glen resident, and teacher and coach at Bellarmine College Preparatory, started the volleyball team at Bellarmine six years ago. This is his 16th year of coaching. Adams said he has also coached water polo and track and field at Bellarmine, and coached volleyball at high schools in southern California.
"When I came to Bellarmine, I wanted to get a volleyball team started," Adams said. "It's nice to be able to see them be able to play, and to see the level and style of play increase."
Adams said the athletic director and the principal at the time were both very supportive of him starting the team. The team has lost only one match during the last three seasons and has captured four West Catholic Athletic League titles between 1997 and 2000, and the last three CIF Central Coast Section crowns.
Adams, who teaches marine biology and earth science in addition to his coaching duties, said, when he began teaching, coaching seemed the natural thing to do. Adams has been playing volleyball since he was 11 and said he also played through high school and college.
And the sport, it seems, may become a family tradition. Adams' daughter, Ivy, 8, now plays with the U.S. Youth Volleyball League. Although his son, Kasten, 5, is not old enough to play, it seems natural that he too may follow in his father's footsteps.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
