January 6, 2023
NORTH SIOUX CITY, SD - MVP United is the club volleyball program of United Sports Academy and premier program in Siouxland. They have brought home 3 AAU National Championships since 2015 and have sent almost 100 athletes on to compete at the collegiate level with close to $4 million in athletic scholarships. A big reason for their massive success is the values their program instills in each athlete and coach: Commitment, Character and Confidence.
The 2022 club season was the first year MVP United Volleyball Club started their "Challenge Coin Ceremony" at the beginning of each season. A challenge coin is a small coin or medallion, bearing an organization's insignia or emblem and carried by the organization's members. Traditionally, they might be given to prove membership when asked and to enhance morale. They are most commonly collected by service members and law enforcement personnel.
"We got the idea from club board member, Kam Smith, who has a son who served in the Navy," states Club Director Rick Pruett. "On one of their deployments, they were given challenge coins and it was a very meaningful thing to carry with them through future missions and life after their service."
MVP United will begin their 2023 club season with their Challenge Coin Ceremony on January 8th at 7PM in the CNOS Fieldhouse. The event will consist of a description of the challenge coin and each of it's parts: character, confidence and commitment, and will be presented by the following guest speakers: Chris McGowan (President of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce), Nolan Lubarski (Founder and CEO of CNOS), and Justin Wagner (Vice Commander of the 185th Air Refueling Wing of Siouxland).
"We are beyond excited for this year's ceremony," states Director of Volleyball, Melissa Smith. "Last year was a great introduction to the challenge coin and its values. Our entire program really took the values to heart with our coaches instilling it in practice plans and our athletes showing great character on and off the court. Our goal is to develop not only quality athletes, but quality people. The Challenge Coin Ceremony helps us convey that."
Visit mvpvolley.org for more information about training and our 501(c)(3) non-profit club organization.
