 Eight days after Connie Becker received her teaching degree from the University of Northern Iowa, she gave birth to her first daughter, Bobbi. Little did she know how intertwined her family would become with her and husband Joe’s alma mater.
No other family is so closely associated with UNI volleyball. All three daughters lettered as student-athletes. Son Greg played club volleyball during his time at UNI.
Daughter Bobbi is now in her seventh year as head coach of the Panthers, while sister Michelle assists on the staff.
These days the Beckers and extended family of in-laws and grandchildren continue to play a role in UNI’s success. “Everyone has their own roles they play,” said Michelle. “Dad helps us choose our pre-season theme each year. (Sister) Jennifer is the creative one and makes bulletin boards for us.”
Dad Joe started a golf outing fund raiser eight years ago to support the team. “It was supposed to be a one-time event,” he laughed. “Everyone in the family helps out in some way or another -- getting prizes donated, finding sponsors, helping at the outing itself.” The family also builds a volleyball float for the homecoming parade each year.
The entire Becker family can be seen on the sidelines in the McLeod Center cheering on the Panthers. Greg and his family make it to about 70 percent of the home matches from their home in Cedar Rapids. Joe and Connie plan their family vacations around preseason tournament sites. Jennifer also uses her vacation time for the trip. Bobbi’s two sets of twins -- Sydney and Baylee (8) and Payton and Jadyn (2) -- along with Michelle’s three kids -- Broden (9), Avery (7), and Brielle (3) -- are some of the Panthers’ biggest fans. Avery already wants to be a UNI volleyball player when she grows up.
Michelle’s job in working with her big sister entails coordinating game personnel, arranging travel plans for the team and maintaining the camp store. She and Bobbi both are quick to say it works well. “She has such a great personality and loves the program so much, she’s easy to work with,” Bobbi said.
Michelle agrees. “I love the Panthers and want to see Bobbi succeed. I don’t always finish all of her sentences, but I pretty much know what’s she’s looking for. I can’t imagine going anywhere else.”
How did all of this get started?
“Connie and I both graduated from UNI and always thought it was a good school -- academically and athletically. We didn’t really push our kids to attend. In fact, Bobbi was looking at some other schools, but just fell in love with the West Gym and UNI’s program. The rest of the kids followed,” Joe explained.
Bobbi credits her dad with a lot of her coaching interest and philosophies. “Dad was a high school football coach when I was in school, and I was a manager. I don’t remember him pushing me into coaching at all, but even today I bounce ideas off of him, like how to handle a certain situation with a player. He gives us a lot of motivational and team building ideas.
“He never really put a lot of pressure on us as kids, but I find myself, especially early in my coaching career, not wanting to disappoint my dad. He’s been a very strong influence on me.”
 Already a close-knit family, Bobbi’s job along with being the mom of four girls has drawn the Beckers even closer.
“I don’t think I would be in this profession without my parents and family and a very supportive husband (Duane Petersen, a former UNI football player) and his family. I am truly blessed to be able to do the things I love and know that my kids are safe and taken care of.”
Balancing the success of coaching at a top Division I volleyball program and raising a family does take a great deal of organization and helping hands. The Petersen girls spend at least one day each week with Bobbi’s mom and one with Duane’s mom along with in-home day care providers for each set of twins.
“Duane is very helpful,” credits Connie. “He does a lot of things with the girls that aren’t easy. He will pack them up on a long road trip and go with the team so Bobbi can see them for even just short periods of time during the weekend when it would be just as easy for him to stay home with them.”
The girls usually travel to the opening Labor Day weekend tournament and the conference tournament over Thanksgiving. Sydney and Baylee have been to every Final Four since they were born. “Last year Duane wasn’t able to go, so Jennifer went with Bobbi and the girls,” said Joe.
Of course, all of the family is present in the McLeod Center at home games. “We try to tell the girls often that mom is working hard. They get excited to see her at the games and they love all the student-athletes,” Connie said.
“The girls are really growing up in the program,” said Joe. “It’s not like some parents who go to work and can’t have their kids be a part of what they do.”
Michelle remembers her parents attending all of their high school and collegiate matches. Is it easier to watch Bobbi and Michelle on the sidelines now rather than on the court competing? Maybe not, according to Connie. “You would think it would be less nerve wracking to watch them now. When they were competing, you never wanted them to have a bad game or make mistakes. Now, the team and its success reflect on Bobbi as the coach so we still are nervous about what happens.”
Joe and Connie can’t say enough about the university that has had such an influence on the entire family. “As parents we appreciate all the opportunities that UNI has given our kids,” said Joe. “There are so many people who have impacted their lives -- Iradge Ahrabi-Fard, Sandra Williamson, Jan Bittner, and Rick Hartzell for all his support of Bobbi’s program. We probably wouldn’t be involved today if it weren’t for them and others.
“I sort of feel like we’re living the dream. UNI has always been a good academic school. Volleyball recruits good athletes, but they are also good students. The family aspect of it is strongly reinforced on the team. We go on some road trips and get to see the team growing as a family and include their extended families as well.”
Bobbi maintains her perspective despite her hectic life. “I’m very blessed being able to do what I love and still feel like I can raise my children the way I want to with all the family I have around. I just try not to take it all for granted.
“I always tell my parents if I can be half the parents that they were, I’ll be feeling really good about how I’ve raised my kids.”
|
