Heath volleyball celebrates its matriarch; Croom nears retirement
HEATH — The smile on Shela Croom’s face grew wider with each former player that entered the gym Tuesday.
Dozens of those former players returned to Heath to surprise the long-time volleyball coach before the Bulldogs’ match against visiting Licking Heights. Croom is retiring after 28 seasons.
"I have no words because it's just so special," Croom said. "It's amazing."
Croom’s husband Dana, who assisted her in 1995 when her first varsity team won the Division III state championship, and their daughters have worked throughout the season to set up Tuesday night’s event.
Croom never suspected. She said she was “overwhelmed” and shed a few tears, too, between the smiles and hugs.
"The moment I pulled into the parking lot I could feel just the energy and entering the building it's just so unmatched," said Ashley Fouts, who played for and later coached under Croom. "Seeing our old friends, it's such an exciting time. Now more so than ever, I can appreciate this whole situation."
Eight players from Croom's first varsity team were in attendance. They wore T-shirts celebrating that magical 28-0 season, and commemorative championship rings are on their way.
"(Croom) just really impacted because she loved us," said Jenny (Sessor) Sanderson, who made the trip down from Michigan. "She was all about relationships. She held you to a high standard but not so much like she's a dictator. It was all out of love, and that's how she led. It's really easy to follow that."
Croom’s teams have won 360 matches, five league championships and five district championships.
"God is good. We're a tight-knit family," Croom said. "I have been putting it off. For four years, I've said, I was going to leave. I had promised my grandbaby. I said I would take it one year at a time, and let's just see what happens. ... I'm going to miss it absolutely, but it's time for new blood."
Croom now will ride off into the sunset as granddaughter Taliyah Holmes, the Bulldogs’ senior setter this season, finishes her career.
"It's definitely a high standard she set, but I just love playing under her," Holmes said. "It's all I ever wanted to do. It's so surreal. It's a great moment for us to share. I love the sport, and doing it with my family makes it 10 times better."
The match became secondary Tuesday as Heights (14-6, 9-3) picked up the Licking County League victory, 25-21, 25-12, 25-17, The hitting trio of seniors Valencia Wilder and McKenzie Hall and junior Alyssa Hill controlled play at the net with help in the back from seniors Sam Coe and Syd Stout.
The competitor in Croom was not happy with the result Tuesday, and she will ask her Bulldogs (9-7, 7-5) to flush it before Thursday’s trip to Johnstown. Nothing, however, will spoil an unforgettable night for an unforgettable person among Heath volleyball players.
"They're my heart," Croom said. "I have my main family, and my volleyball kids are my second family. That truly is what it was. They were my kids, and I had to take care of them. And they took care of me. I am just blessed."
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Heath volleyball celebrates coach Shela Croom, who nears retirement
