Saluting a legend in volleyball

By Jeremy Wise

Published: October 10, 2007

One of the great hallmarks of a good coach is the impact that he or she makes in the lives of the assistant coaches or players that work with them.

One good example is Bill Walsh of the NFL.

Ignoring the fact that he invented the West Coast Offense, he inspired others to want to be an NFL head coach and gave them the tools necessary to do that. Among his assistants that have followed him to NFL head coaching jobs are Dennis Green, Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, Jim Fassel, George Seifert and Ray Rhodes.

In the Enterprise area, as the volleyball season approaches the playoffs next week with area and regional tournaments, one person could be called the Bill Walsh of volleyball in this area.

And that person is Amelia Rhoades of Kinston.

Rhoades brought volleyball to prominence at Kinston and probably inspired other small schools to pick up the sport.

Rhoades had incredible success in over 25 years of coaching at Kinston, capturing one state title in 1997 and finish-ing runner-up on several occasions.

If you looked at the state tournaments throughout her career, if you did not see Kinston there, it was a rarity.

Rhoades has retired from coaching, but her impact can still be felt.

At least six schools in this area are led by former Kinston players who played under Rhoades.

The list includes Shasta Arnett at Zion Chapel, Christy Spurlin at Opp, Amanda Martin at Elba, Lougener Wyrosdick at New Brockton, Janie Wiggins at Kinston and her daughters Suzanne Rhoades Elmore and Tiffany Rhoades Johnson at Samson.

Rhoades had enough of an impact on these people that they wanted to coach the sport they played. No doubt the things she taught them as players are the same things they teach their current players.

Of all of the ones that followed Rhoades in her footsteps, Wiggins has had the most success, winning her own state title last year. Kinston is 35-2 this year and returns all but one player form last year’s championship squad.

Arnett has coached Zion Chapel for seven years, the entire length of the Lady Rebels’ volleyball history. That’s right. Arnett built the Zion Chapel volleyball program.

Now, the Lady Rebels are a respectable team.

So, if you check on the volleyball results next week, check to see how these teams are doing. Remember without Rhoades, an Alabama Sports Hall of Fame member, some of this was probably not possible.

If I have missed another coach that played for Rhoades, please e-mail Jeremy Wise at .