Episode 32 - Building a Dynasty and Human Development with Rick Desclouds

From The First Chair Podcast

In this episode, Frank & Thierry welcome 2019 Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame Inductee in the builder category Rick Desclouds to discuss how he built a legendary program at Glashan Public School, why developing great human beings is the primary goal and much more. (0:49) - Rick's bio (1:30) - Why did coach Desclouds particularly enjoy teaching at Glashan Public School (GPS)? (3:15) - Why did Rick gravitate particularly to volleyball, cross country and track & field? (4:38) - How did coach Desclouds, a multisport athlete (excluding volleyball), become an iconic volleyball coach in Ottawa? (8:20) - Why being humble and vunerable as a rookie coach are great learning traits? (12:10) - Why is "open gym" such a big piece in the Glashan Spikers success? (13:37) - Why are no students cut from the competitive teams at GPS? (19:10) - What is the common denominator amongst the greatist athletes Rick has coached? (23:17) - Volleyball Canada's Athlete Development Framework (26:24) - How did coach Desclouds also develop a baseball powerhouse? (29:13) - Why does Rick particularly value placing strong athletes with similarly aged peers? (31:25) - How is coach Desclouds so motivated to drive multiple teams at school and in the community year round? (34:40) - What is the structure of the "open gym" at GPS that makes it so successful? (37:00) - What is the elimination game played every Friday afternoon? (38:33) - How does the lunch hour house league function at GPS? (43:06) - What are some key principles that coach Desclouds lives by to develop his volleyball athletes? (52:20) - Which system does Rick prefer to use with his school teams? (57:52) - Congratulations to Rick Desclouds for his well deserved induction into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame.