Jr. Men's Mochalski Gives Back in a 'Special' Way

Erin Campbell August 03, 2010

Photo: USA Volleyball

Eric Mochalski is one of the 19 players attending the Men's Junior National Training Team.

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

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 3, 2010) – Eric Mochalski is one of the 19 players attending the USA Volleyball Men’s Junior National Training Team camp on July 30-Aug. 8 at the GaREAT Facility in Geneva, Ohio. And as big as his play is, his heart is even bigger.

Mochalski (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) has earned such honors as being named to the All-Tournament team at the Best of the West Tournament in 2010, being voted to the Boys’ Junior National Championships All Tournament Team for the 17 Open division in 2009 and helping lead his team to both a league championship at Mira Costa High School in 2010 and a gold medal at the Boys’ Junior National Championships in the 16 Open division in 2008.

But what stands out on Mochalski’s resume is not his impressive volleyball stats, it is what he chooses to do in his off time.

Mochalski is involved with such organizations as the Special Olympics, Friendship Circle and the Challenger League. All of these organizations reach out to disabled kids and try to create positive athletic and social environments for them to thrive.

“It’s great really,” Mochalski said. “It doesn’t feel like I’m volunteering. It feels like I’m just out with friends. I want to give back to kids who haven’t had the opportunities in sports that I have.”

He started working with the Special Olympics with his brother because his cousin, who is autistic, suggested that they get involved.

“I fell in love working with these kids,” Mochalski said. “I just looked for other opportunities to get involved with them.”

Since then, his interest has spread to Friendship Circle and the Challenger League. Both organizations focus on integrating special-needs kids with able kids and allow them to develop new relationships and experience new opportunities.

“My major role is to just give them someone to talk to or help them play a sport,” Mochalski said. “In the Challenger Baseball League, I will help a kid bat, play the field or run the bases. Some of the kids don’t have completely functional legs, so I’ll help them run around all the bases. In basketball, I’ll run them through warm-up drills and then I’ll make sure everyone gets to shoot during the game.”

Mochalski has signed to play volleyball at Stanford University and will continue his involvement in working with special-needs kids. Even though he will be missing Friendship Circle this year due to the Men’s Junior National Training Team camp, he is excited for his opportunity to train.

“I’m expecting to learn a lot and get better,” Mochalski said. “I will be surrounded by great coaches and players. It will only make me better to be practicing with and against the best players the US has to offer. I know that everyone at the camp will be really talented and I’m excited to be able to play on that level.”

Alongside the U.S., 11 teams will be competing at the Championships: Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Honduras, Guatemala, Martinique and St. Lucia. The preliminary round begins Aug. 16 and the final round will conclude on Aug. 21.

Not only will the event determine the new NORCECA champion and give the winning team world ranking points, it will also determine at least two bids for the 2011 FIVB World Junior Championships.

USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Training Team:

No Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, High School/Grad. Year)

1 Taylor Averill (S, 6-6, San Jose, Calif., Braham/2010)
2 Micah Christenson (S, 6-5,Honolulu, Hawaii, Kamehameha Kapalama/2011)
3 Tanner Clayton (MB, 6-10, San Diego, Calif., Rancho Bernardo/2010)
4 Brian Cook (OH, 6-6, Santa Cruz, Calif., Soquel/2010)
5 Taylor Crabb (OH, 6-0, Honolulu, Hawaii, Punahou/2010)
6 Dylan Davis (MB, 6-9, Newport Beach, Calif., Corona Del Mar/2009)
7 Jeremy Dejno (OH, 6-4, New Berlin, Wis., New Berlin Eisenhower/2010)
8 Parker Kalmbach (OH, 6-7, Coto De Caza, Calif., Tesoro/2010)
9 Scott Kevorken (MB, 6-9, Westlake Village, Calif., Westlake/2009)
10 Michael McMahon (L, 5-9, Coto De Caza, Calif., Santa Margarita Catholic/2010)
11 Eric Mochalski (OPP, 6-6, Manhattan Beach, Calif., Mira Costa/2010)
12 Evan Mottram (L, 6-4, Leona Valley, Calif., Quartz Hill/2009)
13 Matt West (S, 6-5.5, Seattle, Wash., Shorewood/2011)
14 Robart Page (OH, 7-0, Victor, N.Y., Victor/2010)
15 Taylor Sander (OH, 6-4, Norco, Calif., Norco/2010)
16 Daniel Stork (S, 6-3, Topanga, Calif., Crespi/2010)
17 Josh Taylor (OH, 6-7, Honolulu, Hawaii, Punahou/2011)
18 Maurice Torres (OPP, 6-7, Riverside, Calif., Lutheran/2009)
19 Shane Welch (MB, 6-9, Coral Springs, Fla., Stoneman Douglas/2010)