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Spanning the generations

Lou Rondeau Alumni Volleyball Tournament gives BCHS Gryphons a leg up on their competition to start the season

BARRHEAD – It was the battle for the generations.

For two days during the Labour Day weekend, 18 teams spanning two decades battled it out for bragging rights during the Lou Rondeau Alumni Volleyball tournament at Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS).

BCHS senior boys volleyball coach and tournament organizer Rod Callihoo said the tournament is named after long-time teacher and volleyball coach Lou Rondeau, adding it started in the early 1980s as a fundraiser for the school's volleyball program.

The Barrhead Leader spoke to Callihoo, who is a Gryphon alumnus himself, before the start of the tournament.

In the tournament's initial years, it was held later in the fall, but over time, it moved to the Labour Day long weekend, where it has remained for more than 20 years.

This year marked the tournament's 40th year. If not, it soon will be, Callihoo said, adding he stopped counting the years.

And although the tournament may have started as a fundraiser for the school's volleyball program, it has morphed into different things to different people.

He said it gives the current Gryphons a chance to prepare for the upcoming season and give them a head start over other schools.

"For the alumni, it gives them a chance to give back to their school and help the next generation of players," he said. "They love it to be able to come back and play with old teammates. It isn't hard to find alumni who want to play."

Although the majority of the teams will be composed of players who played their last competitive high school game 10 to 15 years ago, the range can be more drastic.

This year Callihoo noted there is one alumni team with players from the late 1990s, while the youngest alumni squads have players who graduated from BCHS this spring.

"The quality of play is also very high. The school has a long tradition of developing some strong volleyball players, and many, especially on the men's side, have gone on to play for college and university programs," he said.

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com


Barry Kerton

About the Author: Barry Kerton

Barry Kerton is the managing editor of the Barrhead Leader, joining the paper in 2014. He covers news, municipal politics and sports.
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