Volleyball Team Goes From Rags To Riches

8/25/2002 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball

Aug. 25, 2002

By Joe Rexrode
Lansing State Journal

EAST LANSING - When Chuck Erbe walks into the Michigan State volleyball team's new locker room at Jenison Field House, he's like a kid stumbling upon a Christmas-morning bonanza.

"This is really neat," the coach says giddily, pointing to the huge, green-and-white, cast metal plaque inscribed 'Michigan State Volleyball' that welcomes visitors, complete with a spotlight to make it glimmer.

A right turn brings Erbe into the lounge area, stocked with plush chairs and a couch, a computer table and a 60-inch, flat-screen, high-definition television. "Clearest picture I've ever seen," Erbe declares.

Next is the locker room itself. When the main lights are off, another spotlight shines from the ceiling onto a giant block 'S' in the middle of the floor, giving it a mythic quality.