Damon Mays

Boys Club Director/MVC 17 Black Head Coach

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Girls Club Director - Nationals Teams

Name: Damon Mays

Coaching position: Boys Club Director/Girls Nationals Teams Director/Boys 17N Black Head Coach 

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
 
Years of playing experience/where played?
• 1 year – Ironwood High School (Varsity)
• 2 years – Competitive Sand Leagues

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Years of coaching experience:
• 5 years High School
• 2 year Club

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Places/Levels/Ages coached:
• Club
• 2nd season as Momentum Boys Head Coach
• 2018/2019 – Momentum Boys 16N Black Head Coach/Assistant Coach

• High School
• Current Boys Head JV Head Coach/Varsity Assistant – Ironwood HS)
• 2019 (Boys JV Head Coach/Varsity Assistant – Ironwood HS)
• 2018 (Boys JV Head Coach/Varsity Assistant – Ironwood HS)
• 2017 (Boys JV Head Coach/Varsity Assistant – Ironwood HS)
• 2013 (Boys Varsity Assistant – Ironwood HS)
• 2012 (Boys Varsity Assistant – Ironwood HS)

Coaching education/certification:
• B.S. Sports Management
• M.S. Leadership
• Impact
• Safe Sport
 
Greatest personal coaching moment:

Beating the number 1 ranked team in the state (5A Boys Division) as the number 16 ranked team. Going into the match as the underdogs, I asked the team to focus on one word, which was “BELIEVE”. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the game but I received a call right after the match from one of my players yelling and ecstatic saying, “thank you so much coach for believing in us even when we didn’t believe in ourselves”.
 
Coaching Philosophy/Why you love to coach:

There are two things that you are always in 100% control of. Your ATTITUDE and EFFORT. Focusing on these two things day in and day out will allow you to strive for excellence and reach your full potential.   

I love coaching because it allows me to truly make a difference in people’s lives. There are so many valuable life lessons that are embedded into playing sports that players can learn from and use to help them in all aspects of life. Being able to see a person grow and become a better athlete and person gives me great gratification. If I’m able to inspire or impact at least one person to never give up and pursue their dreams in life then I’ve done my job. 

Hobbies:
• Playing and watching sports
• Working out
• Traveling
• Hanging out with family and friends

***Damon was a multi-sport athlete in high school but focused his efforts mainly on tennis throughout the majority of his career. With tennis and volleyball both being spring sports, he was forced to choose one over the other. He chose tennis and played on varsity all 4 years and eventually earned a scholarship to play tennis at Grand Canyon University. He was also named the Region Player of the Year during his sophomore season and made the quarterfinals of state his senior year. Although volleyball was his second sport, it was his first love so his senior year of high school, he convinced his coaches to let him play both sports at the same time. Even though Damon wasn’t able to play volleyball all 4 years of high school, he has been around the game for over 15 years and has a lot of outside experience and knowledge of the sport.***