Hometown: El Segundo, Calif.
Family:
Husband -Dennis
Sons - Connor and Ryan
Playing Career:
• USC (1976-77)
-Won two national titles and two Mikasa Awards
• U.S. National Team (1974-80)
-Co-captain of the 1980 Olympic team
-Named an “All-Time Great Volleyball Player” by USA Volleyball in 1995
Coaching Career:
• Arizona State (1983-88)
• U.S. National Team Asst. (1988-90)
• Notre Dame (1990-Present)
“Don’t worry about anything … let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God ... will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
Volleyball has always been a way of life for Notre Dame coach Debbie Brown. As a star player at USC, she was presented the Mikasa Award twice for being "the nation's best all-around player" while leading the Trojans to two national titles. Later, Brown received USA Volleyball’s highest honor by being named an “All-Time Great Volleyball Player.” As she enters her 29th season as a collegiate head coach, Brown’s focus has shifted to teaching the game and molding her players both as competitors and as young, purpose-driven women.
FCA: What have you enjoyed most about your 29-year coaching career?
DB: I've been able to coach some special people and develop great relationships through this profession. I’ve grown as a person, and it’s been a privilege and blessing to coach every player and watch them grow as young women as well.
It’s kind of comical to think about the beginning of my coaching career. My playing days made me competitive and fiery, but I didn’t really know what I was doing. I jumped in with both feet and coached from the heart. It’s been a constant learning process, always looking for ways to improve and learn from other people. I know a whole lot more now, and hopefully I’m able to use that knowledge in a productive way with my athletes and fellow coaches.
FCA: Do you see coaching as a ministry opportunity?
DB: Definitely! I always strive to act and speak in a way that would be pleasing to God, and I try to represent Him in the best possible way. I love being at a faith-based university where I completely support the mission and feel that I’m able to share my faith and relationship with Jesus. We're not here to just rack up wins. We’re here to foster growth in every aspect of our student-athletes’ lives.
I hope my players understand how much I care about and love them and that they know I’m committed to pray for them. The decisions I make as the head coach are always done with the best interests of our players and team at heart.
FCA: When did you get involved with FCA?
DB: I got involved with FCA when I coached at Arizona State in the 1980s. I’ve coached at FCA Camps, spoken to local Huddles, and have even taken some of my players to speak to Huddles, too.
FCA camp was always a great environment. Teaching and coaching was great, but really, the most important part was just trying to help young kids understand what it means to be a Christian and that there’s a God who loves them. You feel like you're doing something that has eternal significance.
FCA: What has the sport of volleyball meant to you?
DB: Volleyball has really helped shape my character throughout my life. During my senior year of high school I realized the joy that playing brought me. The game allowed me the opportunity to get a college degree and travel around the world competing at the highest levels. Through it all, I saw God's handprint in everything I was doing. And the opportunity that I’ve had to coach over these last 29 years has been amazing as I see my athletes share in the same joy that the game brings to me.
But ultimately I know that everything here is temporary. My relationship with the Lord is eternally significant, knowing that He is with me all the time and all I need to do is ask Him for wisdom and guidance. I know He’s never going to leave me. That is far more valuable than anything I’ve ever accomplished in volleyball, and continuing that relationship with Him is the most important thing in my life.
*****
FCA Staff Quote:
“Debbie is one of those rare people who has experience as both a coach and athlete at the highest levels, so she is uniquely able to connect with her student-athletes. She loves Jesus and them and effectively uses her position as a coach as a platform for ministry.” – Donna Noonan, FCA National Director of Events
Originally Published: July 2013
Photos courtesy of: Notre Dame Media Relations