Shaler Area girls volleyball coach Paul Stadelman teaches his team that small individual contributions turn into large team success.
He does that on the court and off.
At the start of every season, each of his players commits to giving up something she enjoys – cookies, gum, chocolate – no matter how big or small.
“Each week the players put the money they would’ve spent on that item in a jar and save it,” said Stadelman, whose team finished the 2020-21 season 14-3.
The sacrifices added up to a whopping $566.21, all of which was donated to the Glenshaw Century Club.
“It is our way of giving back to a community that supports us doing something we love,” Stadelman said.
The Glenshaw Century Club was founded in 1946. It is a woman’s club that works to advance education by raising money and awarding scholarships to Shaler Area seniors.
This year, many of its fundraisers were thwarted by the covid-19 pandemic, and Past President Edie Haughton said the group is honored by the donation from the teens.
“It means a lot to be recognized by the team,” she said.
Sophomore and junior varsity captain Claudia Clontz said it felt good to raise the money for the Century Club, which is known for giving out scholarships and providing volunteer opportunities for students at Shaler Area High School.
“The fundraiser impacted me by showing how important it is to give back to those who support our school district,” she said.
“It also brought the team closer together because we had a common goal to work towards that was not related to athletic performance.”
Co-captain Madison Barr said the fundraiser is impactful for the athletes because it demonstrates how they can easily make a difference.
“It has a positive effect on our whole team,” said Barr, a sophomore. “It brings us together as a team, working together for something that can make a difference in someone’s life.”
Stadelman, a high school math teacher, said the fundraiser serves as supplemental training for his team, making them well-rounded players.
“Our girls appreciate the community and the value of giving back,” he said. “And they see that making a small sacrifice for something we love is a good thing.”
