#playerinterview

[verbalcomponent]

It's Feature Friday for Verbal Component, and this week we are focusing on the incredible, multi-talented @gwendolynaudrey! Gwen plays Benji, everyone's favorite jock 😍 fun fact: we have a shirt that gets passed around our friend group every Christmas that we decorate, and we asked Gwen to wear it for this photo shoot 😋 read below for a deeper dive into Gwen's backstory: Who are you, and what is your character's full name and class/subclass? Gwen, Bain-jora Ognisko, Benji for short. War cleric. (Edit: race: Fire Genasi) How long have you been playing DnD? How did you get into DnD? I’ve been playing DnD since 2017, with the same crew, give or take, the whole time. I got into it because I had expressed interest to my friend and she knew a DM (Terese) who got a crew together and BAM. I was confused at first, but smitten with the game. What other hobbies do you have? Bullet journaling, watching lots of YouTube, and occasionally getting some writing done. What's something you hope to do in 2020? Write more of this horror novel I've been working on for legitimately six years 🙃 Anything else you'd like to share? I’m married to the player who plays Kel, and I’m also living my best jock life playing Benji 😋 . . . #featurefriday #playerinterview #interview #meettheartist #dnd #dndpodcast #dnd5e #dungeonsanddragons #newpodcast #madisonwi (at Verona, Wisconsin) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8jFAEGBFF_/?igshid=1lw7r957pcqzm

[dannyboyk2000]

The full transcript from Jacob Maddox's exclusive interview with the Chelsea Echo

On his loan spell at Cheltenham:

“I think it has been really good for me.

“We have had ups and downs. We started the season a bit slow. It was tough.

“It was something that I have never experienced at Chelsea in the youth set up.

“But like I said- It has been great for me.

“Playing Men’s football means a lot more in my opinion. Obviously, you are playing for three points and the games are a lot more intense- So I think it has been good for me.”

 His view on Chelsea’s season so far:

“Chelsea are always up there. Obviously, they are fighting for the Europa League, and trying to get top four to get into the Champions League next season.

“They are in a good position, and their destiny is still in their hands.

“Looking at the quality of the squad- It’s top quality!

“As shown in previous years- they will get the job done.”

 Being part of the loan army:

“I mean you are at one of the biggest clubs in the world, and ultimately there is a lot of good players, so the standards are really high.

“So being part of the loan set up with loads of great talent. For us it’s about improving ourselves and getting that extra experiences that are needed to push for places in the team.

“As shown this season, a few players have broken through more than previous seasons.

“For me and for the other lads- it’s a positive.”

 Maddox on Hudson-Odoi’s season:

“He’s been brilliant.

“I’ve played with Callum a lot last year and all through the youth set up.

“We all know what a talent he is. It’s good to see him having a chance. And to be fair to him- he’s took it.

“Obviously he’s gone with England which is a massive boost for him.

“For us looking in on Callum, he’s a perfect example of if you work hard in training every day and if take your chances, then anything is possible.”

 Maddox on Loftus-Cheek’s season:

“We all knew what Ruben can do.

“The things he brings, like his physical aspects aswell, but not only that- his skills on the ball.

“We all know what Ruben can do, but it was only a matter of time for him to be in around the team, because he has so much quality.

“So I’m buzzing for Ruben. He’s obviously a bit different to Callum, because he has been around that kind of set up before. But fair play to Ruben.”

 Maddox on transfer ban and his future at the club:

“I think if you look at the players on loan- then there is no reason why more youth players can push for a place in the first team squad.

“Look at players like Reece James and Mason Mount- they are doing so well out on loan, alongside many other loan players.

“It’s good for the club that so many of these players out on loan are doing so well.

“It’s another option for the people in charge of Chelsea. All we can do is be the best we can be, and try to improve.”

  On Michael Duff’s impact on CTFC:

“Michael’s done well.

“Obviously it was tough before. But he has come in and done really well.

“He’s changed the structure of the club and has put players on the same page.

 On his predictions for next season for Cheltenham:

“I am very optimistic for this team next season.

“For them, it’s just about having a good preseason, and getting a few players in. And if they do that then they will go very far in League Two.”

 On his gratefulness to Michael Duff:

“He has done really well for my development.

“Obviously first loan, you can come across some difficult situations.

“And when that’s happened, he’s guided me through some difficult situations- constantly talking to me and giving me feedback, and most importantly just letting me play.

“He’s been really good to me. It’s been a two way thing. I’ve helped the team, and he’s helped me.”

 On what he can improve on in his game:

“For me, if you look at my stats- I need to get more assists and more goals for my teams. If I do that, then I can go higher.”

 On his role model:

“For me, I would always look at the top teams like Chelsea and Arsenal.

“I loved Ronaldinho.”

 Personal aims:

“For me I’m an optimistic guy. So I would like to play for a League one club or Championship club next season if possible- that’s my next step.”

By Danyal Khan 

Head over to the Chelsea Echo on Twitter to view my interview based article with Jacob Maddox!

[windsormvb]

Lancer Senior Player Profile: Scott "Hickdaddy" Hickman

Age: 24

Position: Middle

Favourite Food: his mom's stirfry

Favourite Movie: Black Hawn Down

Favourite TV Series: Sons of Anarchy and House

Favourite Volleyball Moment: being a member of the only men's Team Newfoundland to beat Team BC at the Ontario Summer Games

Favourite STAR WARS character: Yoda

It was senior Scott Hickman's final game as a Windsor Lancer this past February, or should we say the last game with a number on his back. Hickman is incredibly excited to join the coaching staff at the University of Windsor and follows Lancer alumni Jimmy El-Turk, Kyle Williamson and Will Alexander. Hickman will be finishing his Bachelor of Human Kinetics, specializing in Sport Management, as balancing his volleyball and academic career proved to be difficult for the Memorial-transfer.

After his graduation, Hickman hopes to pursue his Masters in Sport Management, preferably at Windsor obviously so he will able to continue coaching with the Lancers.

Hickman is no stranger to coaching, as he already has his Level II NCCP,  a huge step for a young coach as the process is quite in-depth at this level. The Level II Coaching certification includes the following:

Analyzing performance: Candidates will be expected to reference and apply appropriate models to identify important aspects of performance that the athletes need to improve.

Planning a practice: Candidates will be expected to develop practice plans which are relevant to their athletes and take into consideration their performance capacities, performance goals, seasonal training phases, and athlete safety.

Planning and designing a sport program: Candidates will be required to demonstrate the ability to design a sport program which is consistent with the guidelines of Volleyball Canada’s Athlete Development Model and is appropriate for the athlete’s age group, skill level and aimed at improving performance.

Providing support in training: In a volleyball specific environment, conduct activities that are enjoyable, safe, structured, and consistent with NCCP and Canadian volleyball philosophy and values

Supporting the competitive experience: During and/or leading to a competition, provide support to the participants/athletes in a manner that is consistent with the NCCP and Canadian volleyball philosophy and values.

Program management: Take measures to ensure the needs of the participants/athlete and the sport programs/activities under the coach’s responsibility are met.

Ethical coaching: Analyze a situation that has ethical implications and that is frequently encountered in the coaching context. Propose a course of action consistent with the NCCP Code of ethics, philosophy, and values.

Hickman has previously coached junior high school from 2005-2011 as well as with Team Newfoundland for 3-4 years every summer during his time as a Lancer. At one point Hickman was coaching three teams simultaneously!

After finishing up his Masters, Hickman hopes to work in a professional or university sport setting. Obviously the Windsor program is enticing with its' internship options, and could provide pathways for Hickman into his future career.

Although Hickman's playing days are over, we can't wait to see him back in the St. Denis still helping steer the Lancers to an OUA championship!

(photo source: Edwin Tam)

(posted March 10, 2014)

[windsormvb]

Andrew Chelladurai: Super Setter, SuperSmash-er

Age: 20

Position: Setter

Favourite Food: Pumpkin pie with whipped cream

Favourite Movie: Rush Hour 2

Favourite TV Series: LOST

Favourite Volleyball Moment: Representing Team Ontario in 2011

Favourite STAR WARS character***: Mace Windu

Third-year Andrew Chelladurai has been crucial to the Lancer's starting line up, but he's hiding a more more rounded skill set than most know. Chelladurai, or "Chella" to his friends, sits atop the OUA top 10 for Total Assists and Assists per Game, and also managed to have the highest kill percentage/efficiency amongst the OUA setters thanks to some quick and decisive plays this season. Before coming to the University of Windsor Chella was a member of the Forest City Volleyball Team, Region 3 Team at the Ontario Summer Games and Team Ontario at the National Team Challenge Cup (NTCC).

It appears that Chella has truly found his sport and passion, but there is  much more than meets the eye. Chella is also an active participant in the competitive realm of 'Super Smash Bros' for the GameCube gaming system. Although he was interested in the game as a child, he o rediscovered the game in first year university residence. Super Smash Bros has gained media notoriety after American Ken Hoang won over $50,000 from the game (in tournaments and national championships), which paid his way through college.  first competitive tournament was in September 2013 using the Nintendo64 (N64) gaming system, where he placed 3rd. His volleyball teammates frequently try to best Chella at the game, but the losses come few and far between. Although Chella sees a parallel in the hand eye coordination required for both volleyball and Super Smash Bros, he says that's where the similarities end. Practising for Super Smash consists of about half an hour a day, where over 15 hours of Chelladurai's week is dedicated to volleyball, including practises, games, workouts, therapy and meetings. He mused that watching videos online of Super Smash Bros World Championships is also similar to  watching game tape of opponents in OUA volleyball. Chella isn't quite sure where his future in competitive gaming is headed, but is turning his focus to volleyball as the playoffs loom ahead. Nevertheless it appears that the Lancers may have an advantage of having such a multifaceted athlete quarterbacking their team, and we encourage all to challenge Chella at either game.

(January 28th, 2014) 

***NOTE: This question may appear random and unrelated, but I am a huge Star Wars fan and have every right to bias my opinion of others based on these facts.