MOOSEHEART, IL - Kristin Shuman is still getting acquainted with her team, but the new Mooseheart volleyball coach has already seen many things she likes in the 2008 Ramblers squad.
"I'm so excited," Shuman said. "I've played volleyball my whole life but this is my first coaching job. The girls and I are going to have a lot of fun this season."
Shuman teaches in the Music Department at Mooseheart's school. The New York native graduated from Hope College and is in her second year on-staff. She became head volleyball coach this summer. She replaces Koral Evans, who finished the 2007 season as head coach.
Shuman said she is aware not all of her players have a lifetime of volleyball experience - and she is excited with the prospect of teaching as well as coaching.
"You can always learn," Shuman said. "We take the girls who want to play here on the team. As long as they come with a lot of energy and spirit and if they want to learn, that's what we'll work with. We're here to teach them and hopefully they'll gain something out of it."
The words "social skills" come up frequently in discussions about any Mooseheart activity. Shuman said that no matter what happens this year, those skills can be taught in volleyball just as they can be learned anywhere on the campus.
"They can learn how to play on a team and how to get along with those around them," Shuman said. "If someone else on the team makes a mistake, you can learn how to pick them up and move forward."
In that sense, Shuman is especially pleased with what she sees on-court.
"They came in (Monday) ready to go," she said. "It's hard coming in after the summer and having me saying 'let's go.' They're working hard and they're all excited to get going."
Mooseheart's season starts Sept. 4 at Alden-Hebron, giving Shuman a bit of time to work with her team before game action begins.
"We take these first couple of weeks to get them back into shape and then to really learn what the rotations are, what the positions are, what the job is for each person on the court," Shuman said. "Then we take it, apply it and go from there."
2008 Mooseheart Varsity Volleyball Schedule
Sept. 4, 2008 Mooseheart at Alden-Hebron Away 5:00/6:00 pm
Sept. 5, 2008 Mooseheart vs Indian Creek Home 6:00/7:00 pm
Sept. 9, 2008 Mooseheart at Aurora Christian Away 4:30/5:30 pm
Sept. 12, 2008 Mooseheart at Christian Liberty Tourn. Away TBA
Sept. 13, 2008 Mooseheart at Christian Liberty Tourn Away TBA
Sept. 16, 2008 Mooseheart at Kirkland-Hiawatha Away 5:00/6:00 pm
Sept. 19, 2008 Mooseheart at Christian Liberty Away 5:30/6:30 pm
Sept. 24, 2008 Mooseheart vs Keith School Home 5:00/6:00 pm
Sept. 26, 2008 Mooseheart at Somonauk Away 5:45/6:45 pm
Sept. 29, 2008 Moose Elgin Academy Home 4:30/5:30 pm
Oct. 3, 2008 Mooseheart vs North Shore Away 4:30/5:30 p.m.
Oct. 4, 2008 Mooseheart at IMSA Invitational Away 8 a.m.
Oct. 8, 2008 Mooseheart vs Alden-Hebron Home 5:00/6:00 pm
Oct. 10, 2008 Mooseheart vs Christian Liberty Home 5:30/6:30 pm
Oct. 14, 2008 Mooseheart vs Hinckley-Big Rock Home 5:30/6:30 pm
Oct. 16, 2008 Mooseheart vs Elgin Academy Home 4:30/5:30 pm
Oct. 22, 2008 Mooseheart at Keith School Away 5:00/6:00 pm
Mooseheart Child City & School is a 1,000-acre community and school for children and teens in need of a secure home, located just south of Batavia, IL, between Illinois Route 31 and Randall Road.
Founded in 1913, Mooseheart is supported completely through private donations - the great majority of which come from the 1.3 million men and women of the Moose fraternal organization, in more than 1,800 Lodges and 1,600 Chapters located throughout the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and Bermuda. Moose International headquarters is located on the Mooseheart campus.
Since its founding, Mooseheart has operated a complete, accredited kindergarten-through-high-school academic program, plus art, music, religious and vocational training, and interscholastic sports. It is an extremely nurturing and student-tailored program, with an average student-teacher ratio of 12-1.
Mooseheart students who complete their studies with a 3.0 GPA or better (4.0=A) are eligible for up to five years of annually renewable scholarship funding, covering tuition, room and board in an amount comparable to that required for an in-state student at an Illinois public university.
Mooseheart is currently home to nearly 250 students, ranging in age from preschoolers to high school seniors. Applications for admission to Mooseheart are considered from any family whose children are, for whatever reason, lacking a stable home environment. Mooseheart boasts its own U.S. Post Office and a fully functioning branch of Fifth Third Bank.
In addition to Mooseheart, Moose International also supports Moosehaven, a 70-acre retirement community near Jacksonville, FL founded in 1922; and conducts more than $90 million worth of community service programs annually.
Founded in 1888, the Moose organization has long offered its members an opportunity to do good for others while celebrating life, with family, social, and sporting activities. For more information on the Moose organization, visit the websites at www.Mooseintl.org and www.Mooseheart.org or call 630-966-2229.
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