Assistant coach Sarah Gustin joined the IU volleyball staff in January of 2007. |
Get To Know Assistant Coach Sarah Gustin
Jan. 29, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana volleyball assistant coach Sarah Gustin sat down with IUHOOSIERS.com to talk about herself and her transition to Indiana.
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
"I would visit Cinque Terra, Italy. It is a small Mediterranean coastal city overlooking blue waters and coastal cliffs."
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
"My parents. They are both examples of selflessness and love. They have shown me what is important in life and what it means to work hard for what you want."
What are your pre-game rituals or superstitions?
"My hair ties. I won't use a hair tie again if my team loses while I used that one."
What is your favorite childhood memory?
"The summer vacations that my family and I spent on the river with our speedboat and WaveRunners."
Something that many people don't know about you is:
"My childhood dream was to be a professional dancer."
What do you like to do when not coaching volleyball?
"I love to travel and spend time with family. I also like to shop and cook, and I love the water - beach, lake, river, whatever!"
What is your favorite sports memory?
"Playing UCLA in the NCAA Tournament - they were ranked No. 5 in the nation and it was such a fun match. It went five games and was 15-13 in the fifth. It was also my last collegiate match."
Name one thing that you wish you were better at:
"I wish I was better at balancing work and my social life. I also wish I was better at shooting a basketball."
If someone played you in a movie, who would it be and why?
"If Hollywood was making a movie about my life, we would all be in trouble in the first place. I guess it would have to be someone tall, so maybe we could give Gabrielle Reese another shot at acting."
What attracted you to coming to Indiana to coach?
"I have always loved the Big Ten Conference and was excited to get back into it. Indiana has a high level of academics, a beautiful campus, great facilities and incredible support from the athletic administration and the community. That made it a great place to be for me. "
What has stuck out to you in your move to Bloomington? What do you think about the community, the school and the environment?
"The support and excitement for the program is amazing. There is nothing more exciting than Big Ten athletics and the community that supports it. I can see why Bloomington is one of the top-10 college towns in the country because of it."
What do you think has been your greatest accomplishment in coaching:
"Being asked to work with USA Volleyball was quite an honor for me. I am also excited about coaching in the Big Ten because so many coaches that recruited me and that I played against and I admire are also in the Big Ten."
What aspect of coaching in the Big Ten are you looking forward to the most?
"The competition, because it is one of the top volleyball conferences in the country. Every match is a close one and it makes for a fun, exciting and competitive environment every time you take the floor."
What qualities do you look for in a student-athlete?
"Players with a winning mentality. This means that they will never accept less than their best effort. They excel in the classroom as well as on the court, but mostly, they always strive to be their best."
As far as coaching, do you try and implement a particular style in your approach? Do you have a specific coaching philosophy?
"I try to be logical in my approach so that players understand why I am asking them to do things. I also believe that I am not just coaching players in volleyball, but preparing them to be successful in the classroom and in life after volleyball. I always try to be honest with them at all times."
What are your long-term goals for the program?
"I see Indiana as a top-10 nationally ranked program."
What is the most exciting thing about college volleyball?
"The pace of the game and the level of athletic ability make watching very exciting."
What can the fans expect from the Hoosiers next season?
"A fun environment, great volleyball and more wins!"
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