Skip To Main Content

Daemen University Athletics

Western New York's Premier Division II Team
Fearless, Integrity, Effort, Respect, Commitment, Excitement

Men's Volleyball By Mike Miranto, Sr. Associate A.D. for External Operations & Communications

Gleason Conducts Volleyball Clinic For City Of Buffalo Youths

AMHERST, N.Y. - In a collaborative effort with MotorMVB and The Champion Project, Daemen College Head Men's Volleyball Coach Don Gleason recently conducted an instructional clinic for boys and girls ages eight to 14 at the Resource Council of Western New York located at 347 East Ferry Street in the City of Buffalo. MotorMVB and The Champion Project are working together to bring volleyball clinics to underprivileged areas.

The clinic, which was provided free of charge to participants, aimed to provide basic skill instruction while using lower-than-normal nets, smaller courts and lighter balls. The overall goal was to expose the participants to a sport they may not have been entirely familiar with in hopes of driving their enthusiasm for learning, competition and sports.

"As the Daemen men's volleyball program is established, I feel that it is important to have a strong presence in the Buffalo community," said Gleason who was named the program's first head coach at an introductory press conference last spring. "Through collaboration with MotorMVB, The Champion Project, and local community centers, we plan on making the game more accessible to underprivileged youth athletes. As a Buffalo native, creating these opportunities for kids and helping the sport grow is something I'm very passionate about, and I'm encouraged by the interest and support that the volleyball clinics have received. There are a good number of people and organizations dedicated to influencing the local community in a positive manner, and it is great to see these pieces come together."

The clinic was meant to be a springboard for future opportunities. According to Gleason, a more robust clinic schedule covering a four to six-week period in January and February is planned. More details will be announced at a later time.

Both MotorMVB and The Champion Project have stakes in their support of clinics like Gleason's. MotorMVB, a non-profit organization that's mission is to stimulate the growth of boys' and men's volleyball at all levels in the United States, supports clinics through its "Extending Our Reach" initiative. The Champion Project aims to increase diversity and create opportunities for youth athletes in the sport of volleyball.

The Daemen men's volleyball program, which was established with the help of a $60,000 grant from MotorMVB, is slated to begin competition during the 2018-19 academic year. The free clinic conducted by Gleason was in addition to the program's regular camp and clinic offerings which include upcoming holiday break clinics for middle and high school-aged boys. 

For more information on future clinic opportunities, contact the Daemen men's volleyball office at (716) 698-7704, or follow @DaemenAthletics and @DaemenMVB on Twitter.

 
Print Friendly Version