Phoenix College Athletics begins an alumni-centric series featuring many of our previous athletes in which they update friends, family and fellow alums. Participating alumni discuss what it meant to be a part of their respective program, where they are now and how PC impacted their growth.
First entry: Carissa Allen '15, former PC volleyball player and current assistant volleyball coach at Phoenix College.
What is your fondest memory of playing volleyball at PC?
Fondest memory would have to be home game days. Its a whole different vibe. Our team was so dialed in, the warm ups were competitive and just being able to perform in front of our home crowd was always so exhilarating. We had the boys soccer teams cheering us on all the time and we loved having girls basketball working our games because they would always dance during timeouts which was always fun to see.
What do you miss most about your college playing days?
I miss being able to be with my bestfriends all day, I miss competing, traveling to games and dance parties before home matches in the locker room. Two years at Phoenix College had to be the best years of my life. It was hard but fun.
Where did you play after your time at Phoenix College?
I played at Northwest Christian University 2015-2017 in Eugene Oregon. Its now called Bushnell University
Was being a volleyball coach always in your career plans?
Yes, ever since we had little bears volleyball camp at Phoenix college when I was there, I knew thats exactly what I wanted to do. I want to help players achieve their goals because anything is possible. I then started coaching after I moved back to Arizona in 2018. Every year was a different location.
How has being a student athlete helped you now as a coach?
I can relate to alot of my student athletes and even athletes that I run across at PC, since Im so close to their age, I am able to give them advice about everything. So using my expertise on the court with them and knowing that I can physically show them specific things too helps alot to with teaching them everyday at practice.
You've coached at different levels – high school, NAIA. How has each of these experiences made you a better coach?
First starting at a high school assistant coach for volleyball and softball I was nervous just because it was my first year, I didnt have an exact way that I wanted to coach I just wanted to slowly get into it. I didnt know what to expect but I had amazing head coaches that were always there to guide me in the right way. Then after that year I started using those techniques that I remembered from previous coaches. It all kind of came naturally though after the first two seasons. I love coaching college and want to be a head college coach some day.
What have you enjoyed most (so far) about coaching at your alma mater? How does it feel to become a bear again?
I have been enjoying just being back on campus, being able to be a pick part of the recruiting process before season was a blast. Its a bitter sweet feeling being back because its my home away from home. PC is Family.
What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I love being around our group of girls. They are all so fun to be around, hilarious and are just eager to learn everyday and get better. This group is special because these are all girls that we recruited in a very short amount of time. I enjoy being able to just be there for them no matter what and they have been great support to me since we have started.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to go to the gym, play volleyball wherever there is open gyms, play coed slow pitch softball multiple times a week, spend time with my step mom and bull dogs (Rokko and Amir), watching football on tv (GO EAGLES), and facetime my mom and brother on his off time.
What else do you do besides coach at PC?
I work for the City of Phoenix at a Recreation Center.
Alumni interested in participating can reach out to Jada Willingham at jada.willingham@phoenixcollege.edu. Follow us on Twitter (PC_Bears) and Instagram (@phoenix_college_athletics)