Join ORU Athletics every Friday in a weekly series featuring interviews with coaches and staff members.
10 Questions with Frank Craig III, Head Volleyball Coach at Oral Roberts University:
- Individually, how are you adjusting to the constantly changing phases of COVID-19?
The ever-changing phases of COVID-19 has definitely made me work a lot harder. Being in constant communication with our admin, staff, and team has been like clockwork. When planning for certain events, I have developed contingency plans as alternatives to accommodate anything that my staff or players may need and in regards to the NCAA/conference updating its bylaws.
- Your players are not on campus yet. How are you communicating with them?
I have been in communication with my staff and players by Zoom calls, GroupMe, text and Facetime.
- How are you making sure the players stay in shape this summer?
Our strength performance staff has been doing a tremendous job with the girls. Even with everything being volunteer based, the girls have been doing an amazing job checking in and asking for workouts to stay in shape. Ashtin has been able to provide them with such information and I couldn't be more pleased at the moment.
- As a new coach, how difficult is it to prepare for the season when you won't see your players until August?
With all the contingency plans I have developed, I am ready for the bumpy road ahead. I have planned and planned and planned some more of all the things that could go wrong. The team has been very cooperative with everything going on and willing to do what is necessary for when August comes. They have been itching to get to campus, so I am very excited to harness that energy. As a collective, we are ready for whatever is thrown at us.
- What was recruiting like with COVID measures in place?
Recruiting has been TOUGH! With COVID, it took many coaches out of the gym to recruit live and put us all indoors to watch plenty of videos. That has been our norm since COVID. We have been on many calls now with recruits and been asking for plenty of videos. I think this time around we will for sure know these recruits better then we have in the past. It's been very eye opening and I think this should be our norm.
- Are you concerned that your international players will have difficulty returning to campus in time for the preseason?
Yes! I am very concerned with international players having difficulty returning to campus in time for preseason. Hopefully this issue will get resolved and everything will work out to our favor.
- What are you looking forward to the most this season?
I am looking to forward to watching the team have a safe, competitive, and productive season. It is a privilege and an honor to be a part of such a phenomenal program, and I am very blessed to be able to showcase the hard work and preparation during these trying times.
- Who are you counting on to be team leaders?
This incoming class is full of many leaders. Each comes in having been the best on their club, high school or JUCO teams. I am looking forward to the natural leadership to take place. I am also very excited for our returning libero leader, Sarah Thiessen, to take full reins of the team. She has shown tremendous leadership for ORU in past seasons and I cannot wait to see what she will bring in 2020.
- How competitive will ORU be in conference play?
The women on the team have a natural passion to execute to the highest caliber of competition. Our most immediate goal is to be conference champions!
- What is a special saying or Bible verse you rely on during these tough times?
Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good needs, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
10 Questions with....
March 27, 2020 – Mike Carter
April 3, 2020 – Ryan Bush
April 10, 2020 – Mark Milner
April 17, 2020 – Joe Dial
April 24, 2020 – Lance Watson
May 1, 2020 – Roger Bush
May 8, 2020 – Ashtin Meerpohl
May 15, 2020 – Tim Johnson
May 22, 2020 – Adam Hildebrandt
May 29, 2020 – Paul Mills
June 5, 2020 – Scott Williams
June 12, 2020 – Steve Upshaw
June 19, 2020 – Misti Cussen
For the latest information on ORU Volleyball, follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or go to www.ORUAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading our mobile app, ORU Front Row, available on the App Store and Google Play.
#GoldenStandard
