Drake University assistant volleyball coach Katie Walker recently completed her first season with the Bulldogs after spending nearly six previous seasons as an assistant at the Division I level. Originally from Kent, Wash., Walker played collegiately at Idaho before beginning her coaching career.

What was your journey from a student-athlete to coach like and when did you realize you wanted to pursue coaching? 
Coach Walker: I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I love connecting with people and helping people through the learning process. Once volleyball was over, I realized a huge part of me would be missing, so I decided to become a graduate assistant at Northern Kentucky University. This experience was amazing and after that I couldn't imagine being anything but a college volleyball coach. 

What have you found to be the most rewarding aspect of coaching and the most rewarding aspect of coaching at Drake?
Coach Walker: The most rewarding aspect of coaching is the relationships with the student-athletes. I love preparing them for the real world through the game of volleyball. The most rewarding aspect of coaching at Drake are the student-athletes as well. This group is so hard working, decided and ready to learn, that it makes my job easier to coach and teach the game of volleyball.

How did your experience as a student-athlete impact you as a coach?
Coach Walker: My experience as a student-athlete helped me better connect to the student-athletes and understand what they are going through. Also, I personally made many mistakes as a student-athlete. I hope to improve each player's experience through my mistakes and lessons learned as a student-athlete." 

What's the best part about coaching at Drake and what has surprised you in your first year?
Coach Walker: The best part about coaching at Drake is the support from the community and staff. Something I'll never forget and am super thankful for is when women's basketball associate head coach Allison Pohlman helped me with camp information and gave me a campus tour. People are just like that at Drake because it's an environment where everyone wants to see you succeed. The biggest surprise was the community support. We have some of the best community support for volleyball."

How would you define your coaching style and philosophy?
Coach Walker: I could probably write a 10-page paper on my coaching style and philosophy, but my coaching style and philosophy is to teach the game of volleyball and to be an equal part of the learning process as the players are. I expect players to make changes and be mindful of what they are doing while playing."
 
What is the biggest lesson you've learned as a coach?
Coach Walker: The biggest lesson I have learned as a coach is that coaching is hard. It's never going to be easy because just like we ask our student athletes to be learning and growing we have to do the same. 

What area do you feel you have experienced the biggest growth in one season at Drake?

How has the COVID-19 situation affected your coaching and how are you still staying engaged with the team?
Coach Walker: COVID-19 has been a crazy experience for everyone. We have a weekly team meeting every Wednesday. I also was run a leadership book club before COVID-19, which we continued meeting through Zoom every Thursday. 

What is the biggest trait you look for in potential student-athletes?
Coach Walker: The biggest things I look for in potential student-athletes is to make sure they are great teammates and people. In addition, I want them to be one of the hardest working and most coachable players on their current teams. 

What's the best thing about living in Des Moines?
Coach Walker: The best thing about living in Des Moines is the Farmers' Market! 

Outside of your coaching, what do you enjoy to do?
Coach Walker: I love making new recipes, riding my bike, and enjoying the outdoors!