Indiana University Athletics
Erica Short Signs Professional Contract
1/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Jan. 20, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - When asked the routine question for all senior student-athletes: `What do you want to do after graduation,' Indiana University volleyball stand-out Erica Short did not provide any of the typical responses.
No `I want to find a job in my field.' No `I want to get married and start a family.' No `I'm thinking about attending graduate school." Instead, Short had this lofty expectation:
"I want to play professionally."
Well, five months after telling a newspaper reporter her goal in a preseason interview, Erica Short will be doing just that, playing professional volleyball beginning in late January. Short did not wait until after graduation to grab her dream, however, recently signing a contract to play for Las Gigantes de Carolina, a professional team located in Puerto Rico.
"Playing volleyball professionally has been a goal of mine for awhile now," said Short. "This is an opportunity I couldn't pass up."
Short will return to campus following the season to finish her education. Upon her return, she will take classes over the summer and fall semesters to complete her degree in Therapeutic Recreation and graduate in December of '09.
"I am very proud of Erica for taking this leap," said IU Head Volleyball Coach Sherry Dunbar. "It was a big decision to put off school for a semester and go out of her comfort zone. What a great experience she's going to have though fulfilling a dream to play professionally."
Las Gigantes begin each and every day at 9 a.m. for time in the weight room. They then re-convene in the evening at 7 p.m. for conditioning drills, only to be followed by two and half hours of intense practice that runs until 10:30 at night. Short is unphased though as she credits her time at IU for preparing her for this experience.
"We worked extremely hard at IU and I am used to putting in the work necessary to succeed because of that," said Short. "When I got down here (Puerto Rico), nothing shocked me. I was prepared."
Short may have been ready for the workload on the court, but what about the challenges faced off the court such as new teammates and coaches, cultural differences and the language barrier?
"A lot of the local girls know English and they are very patient with us," said Short. "The communication gets better and better every day. They are very understanding and we all get along very well. I love these girls!"
Short has three roommates while in Puerto Rico, who are also on the team and played collegiately in the United States. Rachel Hartman of Minnesota and Lilly Denoon (Houston) are American while Rita Lilliom is from Hungary, but played college ball for Kansas State. The rest of Las Gigantes hail from Puerto Rico or Cuba.
"I love my coach too," said Short. "Coach Gaspar is so funny and knows a lot about the game of volleyball."
Javier Gaspar was an All-American setter at Penn State and played for the U.S. National Team. Coach Gaspar and his Las Gigantes begin a 21-match regular season on Jan. 30 that runs through Apr. 3.
While at IU, Short put herself in elite company by earning honorable mention All-America honors as a senior. The last and only other Hoosier to ever earn All-America laurels was Karen Dunham back in 1985 when she garnered honorable mention as well. Short's team-leading 554 kills were just one put-away shy of tying the IU single season record set by Christina Archibald in 2002. Short shattered Archibald's career kills total (1,808), however, compiling 1,889 in her four years in Bloomington, becoming IU's all-time kills queen. Averaging 4.54 kills per set in 2008, Short ranked in the national top-ten in that category, coming in at ninth place.
"I'm so happy that she still has the passion for volleyball that she is demonstrating by continuing her career," said Coach Dunbar. "I have seen her grow immensely in the past two years and can't wait to watch her play later this spring."
So, come December when Short is walking across the stage in her cap and gown to get her diploma; how will she answer the same question, `What do you want to do after graduation?' Only time will tell, but this Hoosier fan simply hopes she continues to chase her dreams ... whether it's on or off the volleyball court.
Click here to visit Las Gigantes' official website.
Players Mentioned
