Dad Joining in on the Fun in Reno

Erin Campbell
Intern, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6864
E-Mail: erin.campbell@usav.org

RENO, Nev. (June 24, 2010) – The emotions surrounding the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships are always full of excitement and energy. However, the players aren’t the only ones taking all they can from the experience.

Mark Whitley is the father of Hannah Whitley, an outside hitter for Iowa Rockets 14R. He’s that dad that’s taping the game from the sidelines and cheering on the team.

Pretty typical, right? Well the thing that makes Mark stand out from every dad in the Reno-Sparks Convention Center is his bright magenta hair.

“The girls all tried to put streaks in their hair,” Mark said. “I told them they weren’t using the right color. So after one of the parents’ suggested I try, I thought, what the heck.”

Mark is no stranger to doing things that others might find a little out of the ordinary.

“I was a union worker for my whole life,” Mark said. “I am used to doing things that some people would think is embarrassing.”

Even though he gets double takes from other dads and giggles from the players that walk by him, he wants to show the girls that even though you always want to win and compete, it’s more about having fun.

“They tried to do my beard but I told them they could on one condition, they had to win today,” Mark said.

So far the team is 2-2 with one more game to play in their pool. So be on the look out for a pink beard tomorrow.

“He’s not your average dad,” Hannah said with a grin on her face. “He’s definitely not afraid to embarrass my brother and I.”

Even though Hannah and her brother Jonathan might find it embarrassing, the rest of the Iowa Rockets 14R squad embraces Mark’s eccentricity. Mark is disabled and uses a cane. Every year for his birthday, the team bedazzles his cane and signs it.

“It’s something cool they always do for my birthday,” Mark said. “I have one from every year and I put them on my wall.”

Marks enthusiasm and the teams’ sheer appreciation for him are what makes these Championships unlike anything else these young girls’ could ever experience.

Click here for the complete Schedule:

All Girls’ 12 Divisions: June 27-30

All Girls’ 13 Divisions: June 25-28

All Girls’ 14 Divisions: June 24-27

All Girls’ 15 Divisions: June 26-29

All Girls’ 16 Divisions: June 30- July 3

All Girls’ 17 Divisions: June 28- July 1

All Girls’ 18 Divisions: June 29- July 2

For more information on the USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships, click here.

Tags: USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships