Jeff Thomas Invited to Anaheim

Jeffrey Thomas is getting a chance to see what is like to compete at the next level and how he stacks up against some of the best volleyball players in the United States. Jeff, who just completed a stellar volleyball career at UW-Oshkosh was invited to train with and try-out for the USA National Volleyball Team. The team moved its training facilities from Colorado Springs to Anaheim this past April. Practice started last Monday, September 11 at the American Sports Centers in Anaheim, California.


The men’s volleyball coach for Michigan Tec University had heard about Jeff from some of her Wisconsin players and watched his play in Salt Lake City this past spring. She was impressed with his play and recommended him to the USAV men’s coach. Jeff was invited play with the USAV team in the nationals in New Orleans last year.

Getting an invite to train with and compete for a spot on the USA Volleyball Team with the chance to play in the 2008 World Olympics is an opportunity of a life time and a dream come true for Jeff.


Jeff went to training camp knowing it was a long shot in that he would be competing for a spot with the best of the best and some of the most talented volleyball players in the United States. Players from UCLA, Long Beach State, Penn State, Pepperdine, California State, Northridge and Stanford where they live and breathe volleyball all year long.

He said that they have been working a lot on techniques and precision passing and serve receive. Jeff, who played outside hitter for the Oshkosh Titans, said that there has not been a lot of time for hitting and that he was looking forward to this week when he will get a chance to show what he can do.

Jeff wrote, “For me personally, I have been forced to forget everything that I have been taught and start from scratch and I have found it to be not such an easy task. In our first and only hitting drill so far, I went 3 for 10 for kills against a combined 6'10" and 6'11" double block. I’m having a little trouble adjusting to their new ways of passing but I have been told by the coaching staff that I am making great progress and am looking better day by day, which for me right now being a club ball player among NCAA giants, keeps me going.”

If he makes the team he would stay in Anaheim and practice until November when competition starts. If he does not make the team he may be given an opportunity to play overseas starting in November and return to try-out with the USAV Team again in January, 2007.

While the opportunity to compete at this level may be a long shot for him it is nevertheless his dream and I am happy that he decided to go. Who knows, maybe the “club player” will make good of it. Regardless of the outcome, when it’s all said and done and the decision has been made as to who is on the team he will be a better person for having followed his dream. He’s our Buckeye Hills hero and we will continue to be proud of him no matter the outcome.