Over the years I have been invited to many different schools to either speak to the students about my Olympic experiences or guest coach their volleyball teams. There was a stretch at one point when I was doing as many as one or two visits per week. It was always nice to see a young kid smile when I showed him the Olympic Bronze medal. Besides, I had plenty of extra time during the off-season... that is until I started having kids of my own!

Now that I have four kids, I have fatherly duties throughout the school day with our two pre-schoolers, and after school with my older two. So I have committed to school visits less and less since having more and more kids. Now I probably average only one visit per month.

However, I was recently invited to Regency Acres Public School, in my hometown of Aurora, to visit with the boys volleyball team and I jumped at the chance. I had a good reason to make an exception for this particular school, because my kids go there, and my son is on the volleyball team!

Mitchell is in grade 4 and for the first time he is allowed to try out for school sports. For some reason he wanted to try out for the volleyball team - go figure!

Anyhow, the team needs a little work on their defense and rotations, but the coach, Jeff Salhani, who is also Mitchell's grade 4 teacher, has them working hard and practicing lots!

Go after it boys!  Good luck this season!