Experience is always key to a successful team. The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s volleyball team hopes that belief pays off for them this coming Canada West season. The WolfPack have added another piece to the puzzle by announcing the signing of outside hitter/right side Chris Osborn of Orange County, California. Osborn becomes the third recruit signed by head coach Pat Hennelly for the 2011-12 season.
The 24 year old Osborn is transferring to TRU after playing a year with the University of Manitoba Bisons in 2009-10.
Chris Osborn
“I transferred from Manitoba for two reasons,” he says. “ For a warmer climate and to play for Pat Hennelly. I think Pat is the most underrated coach in the CIS. I chose TRU because I was so impressed with Pat’s coaching strategies and the overall style of play this program has.”
Pat Hennelly
“Chris contacted me after last season (2009-10),” says Hennelly. “He played a bit that year when we were in Manitoba so I was aware of his abilities. He jumps very well for a big guy and will most likely beat our best spike touch of 11’8”. He is physically gifted and as he gains more volleyball experience he will be a force in the Canada West.”
After sitting out this past season, the 6’8” Osborn will enrol into the CSOM (Computer System Operations Management) program at TRU in order to play this fall.
Not only is Osborn a first-rate volleyball player, but he also excels at basketball. He played NCAA Division I basketball for Air Force Academy and University of California-Irvine. “I grew up playing basketball and won two state championships in high school in Arizona,” he explains. “ I went to Air Force Academy but since I am too tall to pilot any fighter jets, I transferred to UC-Irvine. While there, I switched to the volleyball program and was a member of the 2007 national championship team. I switched sports because volleyball is a game that I love more than basketball and could potentially be skilled at.”
Osborn added that playing the same position as Lebron James, Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter, he felt there was no future in playing basketball. “With volleyball, there is a bright future,” he adds. “ There are some similarities as far as movements on the court and jumping.”
And he thinks he can be a positive force on the court either at left side or right side beginning in the fall. “I think I can help the program in many ways. I think I can push some guys athletically to try and go beyond what they think is possible. Also, with my m basketball background, I bring alot of experience to the team. During my basketball years, I played in front of 5-20 thousand people a night. Naturally
I had to learn how to block out a crowd from my mind and not let anything mentally bring down my level of play. I'm hoping this mental strength will bring a calm nature to the team in times of distress. “
“Chris will be an offensive presence and a force at net blocking, he is going to provide match up problems for other teams as an outside hitter,” said Hennelly of his newest recruit. “ He trained in Korea with Dr Eom (Han-Joo, who has trained a number of former WolfPack players over the years and spent 2009-10 with TRU as an assistant coach). Dr. Eom said he was the hardest working player he has ever hosted from Canada. That is high praise considering some of the players we have sent over, all of whom were hard workers. I think with his work ethic and athleticism, Chris will be an excellent addition to our program.”
SIDE OUTS: Osborn compares volleyball in the U.S to that of Canada: “ I am excited for where this program is going. We have a great team under even better leadership. I look forward to becoming a member of the Volleyball community here.”
He joins right side-setter Brad Gunter of Courtenay, BC and middle Nick Balazs of Prince George BC as new faces with TRU for 2011-12.
