Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/14045
8.5 QUESTIONS FOR TROY TANNER This month LIVE sits down with Olympic gold medal-wining player and coach, T-Street Volleyball Club owner, and OC resident, Troy Tanner. LIVE: What was your inspiration to start T-Street Volleyball Club? TT: A few years ago, I placed my 11 year-old daughter, Bailey, into a volleyball club and wasn't very happy with the instruction. I pulled her out and started practicing with her and some neighborhood friends down at the beach ("T-Street," or Trafalger Street, in San Clemente) in an informal yet instructional environment. Bailey and her friends got a lot better and we had a great time. T-Street now has over 200 members and 18 teams that train nearly eight months out of the year. We also have extensive summer camps as well as youth clinics in five locations around our main building in Irvine. LIVE: Why did you decide on Irvine as T-Street's home? TT: The growth and improvement of the club has been so great, that we needed a permanent facility. Moving to the Spectrum area of Irvine made sense because of the easy freeway access. T-Street's current club membership primarily comes from south Orange County, but the plan is to bring in families from all directions. LIVE: Now that you're a coach, what do you miss most about competing? TT: There is nothing like going up against strong opponents and battling--I loved it. Coaching is also very competitive, but one approaches it from a different perspective. Whether on the court or the sidelines, the competitive rush is still there. Managing and coaching at T-Street is a nice way to get through the day LIVE: Can you share a little about your coaching work in Turkey? TT: Besides T-Street, I work as a consultant to the Turkish National Beach Volleyball Program. Turkey is loaded with good indoor players, but they don't understand the beach game, despite some of the most beautiful shores in the world. I go to the Mediterranean side of Turkey three or four times a year and work with/train Turkish coaches and players. We're getting a lot better and beginning to qualify for major tournaments--it's a process, and we're on a good path. LIVE: Where you do keep your gold medal (1988 U.S. Men's Indoor Volleyball Team)? TT: For 20 years it was tucked away in a bookshelf, and I'd pull it out to show people from time to time. Now it's framed and in my office at T-Street along with some cool pictures. LIVE: What is a typical day like for you? TT: I put in 40 to 50 hours a week at T-Street, and try to find time to surf either before I go in or after (sometimes in the middle of the day). LIVE: Where are some of your favorite places to hang out in Orange County? TT: The OC is great and my family and I love it here. When I have control of things, I stay close to my home in San Clemente and enjoy its beaches and restaurants. LIVE: Why do you call Orange County home? TT: I've been very fortunate to have traveled the country and world in the pursuit of volleyball, and living here in Orange County with the beaches, the restaurants, the employment opportunities, etc., is really a great thing. I have plenty of worries, but wanting a better place to live is not among them. Photography By: BLYTHE HILL 50 LIVEMAGS.NET AUGUST>>10