Lou Rondeau’s coaching career is studded with great achievements. One memory, however, stands out like a crown jewel.
The year is 2006. Barrhead Composite High School has been striving for a while to get a seat at the top table of volleyball players.
To make that step from good to very good, from a runner-up to a champion, is always a huge one in sport and can become the launch-pad for even greater success.
So it proved for the senior Gryphons boys. On Nov. 25 at BCHS east gym, they disposed of the Stettler Wildcats in straight sets to win a provincial 3A gold medal in men’s volleyball for the first time in the town’s history.
For head coach Rondeau it was vindication for his faith in Barrhead volleyball. After so many silver and bronze finishes at the provincials, he had finally struck gold.
“I would say that is my proudest accomplishment,” he said last week. “It had been a long time coming. We had had a lot of good players over the years and to win as hosts was very, very special.”
The breakthrough triumph was followed by two more gold-medal performances – in 2008 (Edmonton) and 2009 (Spruce Grove).
The hat-trick of provincial wins was a perfect swan song for Rondeau, who handed over the head coach duties to Rod Callihoo in 2010, which proved another stellar year.
“Rod won in his first year and I was assistant coach,” he said. “We have a pretty good relationship.”
Rondeau was speaking several days after being presented with an Alberta High School Athletics Association Hall of Fame Award in the coach category.
At a special May 8 ceremony in Edmonton, he was inducted into the ASAA hall of fame for his involvement in high school athletics.
To Callihoo, still Gryphons coach, nobody could be more deserving of the accolade.
“He is one of the treasures in the community,” he said. “He has been involved with volleyball for the past 30 years, badminton at the high school and provincial level. He has also been involved in years of community sports like baseball and curling. He is a retired teacher who continues to help our youth.”
Rondeau was raised in Fort Assiniboine until 11 before moving to Barrhead as a Grade 12 student. He has been here ever since and considers himself a Barrhead boy.
It is perhaps surprising to hear Rondeau did not play volleyball at school. The sport didn’t have the profile it has today. Rondeau’s first love was baseball.
“I was always interested in sports and have played baseball most of my life,” he said.
Rondeau remembers an era when baseball was huge in the Barrhead area, when the bleachers overlooking the major diamond would be packed with spectators eager to watch the Cardinals and the Bluejays.
His coaching career started in 1964 with the Barrhead County Kings midgets baseball team. He was just 21, seeking summer employment while at university.
After he began coaching at junior high school, he realized he needed to improve his skills, so he attended clinics and camps.
He became head coach of volleyball in 1982 and assisted the game’s rise to local dominance. Barrhead’s first medal was bronze in 1986 at provincial volleyball.
“Over the years volleyball has undergone a huge transformation,” he said. “The playing standard has improved beyond recognition.
“The sport is nothing like it was 20 years ago. Athletes are so much more skillful and the game has become more complex. I’ve had the good fortune of working with some very, very good coaches that coached or assisted with the high school team.”
Rondeau, who retired as a teacher 11 years ago, doffs his hat to four people who have contributed to Barrhead’s success: Frank Rayment, Howard Gelderman, Pat Ternan and Rod Callihoo.
“These four guys have been instrumental in the success of the senior boys,” he said.
Rondeau also enjoyed a lot of success with badminton teams, winning quite a few provincials, and taking home a good haul of gold medals. He was badminton coach from 1982 to 2001.
So what makes a good coach?
“It is not only based on success,” he said. “It is about having mutual respect between athletes and the coach.
“It is about being able to motivate as a coach and get the best out of the athletes. It is about instilling in athletes a positive work ethic. I always told my players ‘don’t get outworked by anyone you play against.’ I also tell them ‘work hard in practice and have fun.’”
Rondeau has a saying that he tries to live by.
“If what you accomplished yesterday feels big than you haven’t done much today.”
It suggests that Rondeau is not one for sitting on his laurels. So how much longer will he devote his time to Barrhead’s youth?
“As long as I am still wanted I will coach,” he said.
