Coach’s Note
I grew up in Irvine, California, playing a variety of sports, when I came to find my love for volleyball my freshman year in high school. I was fortunate enough to earn a scholarship and play for Pepperdine University. While at Pepperdine, I met my wife, Jaimie-Rose (Walberg), and my best friend Todd Dildine – two incredible people from Fresno. This was my first indication that this place was something special.
After playing professional volleyball all around the world, I was excited to enter the world of coaching. Five years into my coaching career, the opportunity presented itself to return to Fresno, which Jaimie-Rose and I could not pass up. Being able to raise our four young children near family has been such a blessing. This is our home. This is our community. We are proud to be here and proud to be building a dynamic volleyball community that we will share with the nation.
During the past three years, I’ve been able to listen, watch and connect with many people in the community to hear all about where the sport of volleyball is. In my position as head coach at Fresno State, I feel a great sense of responsibility to make the entire community the best it can possibly be. Thanks to my amazing wife and by the grace of God, we are able to begin this process of investing into the whole volleyball community.
This project would not happen without the support of my family and so many of the leaders of the volleyball community. We have incredible teachers, coaches, parents, and avid fans of volleyball with a shared passion to create a legacy in our community. We’ve had many conversations over the years leading to this moment where we begin this ambitious endeavor. It is one of the great experiences in life to work to achieve something so challenging with people that you care deeply about. I feel extremely blessed to have this opportunity in front of us with an amazing group of people to achieve it with.
This is a long-term project for the good of the Valley. It’s putting the young people of the Valley ahead of any school affiliations, club affiliations, or past histories. It’s about where we are going, not where we have been. It will take the collective efforts of the schools, coaches, athletes, and families to bring about such a lasting impact. I’m excited to start this journey with you all. Hope you consider joining our movement! Go VVA!
Jonathan Winder
Jonathan@valleyvolleyballacademy.com