Avdo coach seriously enjoyed coaching
by Steve Ottman Falls News Correspondent
Although Avdo Omerbegovic was able to coach the Sheboygan Falls Falcons junior varsity volleyball team for just one season, he seriously had a lot of fun.
Omerbegovic, who likes to be called Avdo, is currently attending Lakeland College, majoring in business. He intends to graduate in May 2010.
He is originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country in Southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. His current residence is in Chicago.
SFHS head volleyball coach Deb Hasler met Omerbegovic, while he was coaching her oldest daughter Steph in a volleyball club program called Go Fish-18.
Last March, Hasler approached Omerbegovic about coaching the junior varsity volleyball team at SFHS, because she liked his style of coaching.
After meeting with Falls athletic director Luke Goral and Hasler, Omerbegoic accepted the opportunity to coach the up-and-coming prospects in the SFHS volleyball program.
“It was a great experience,” said Omerbegovic. “The transition went very smoothly. It was a pleasure to work with the girls and their parents.”
Omerbegovic said the girls on the team made his experience as a coach a lot of fun.
“These girls liked to have so much fun,” related Omberbegovic. “I would say ‘seriously,’ and use the word to express my conversation skills, while relaxing them to enjoy the game of volleyball.
“On the other hand, my accent made them take ‘seriously’ to another level,” he said. “I sometimes would ask the refs ‘seriously did that really happen,’ or ‘seriously how could you make that call.’”
Avdo felt that worked to loosen up the team.
Omerbegovic also worked to get the varsity squad ready before games. He was a big part of the team’s successful 23-12 season.
“The varsity girls also liked my accent and I enjoyed being a part of the team,” remarked Omerbegovic. “They also took me seriously.”
“It was quite an experience and I definitely would like to coach again,” he said. “But, after I graduate I will have to follow my career.”
For now, Avdo would like to get a job in the Sheboygan or Chicago area. He also hasn’t ruled out going back overseas.
And seriously, Avdo would have loved to make his stay in Falls much longer.
