BLOOMINGTON, Ind.– IU volleyball alumna Stacey Hughes played on the courts of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. She said it is fun to turn on the television or to be there in person at an IU basketball game and recall those memories.
Hughes wore No. 4 and played from 1989-92. She led the team in digs in the 1992 season. She ended her volleyball career having played in 105 matches for the Hoosiers and a stat line with 579 digs, 392 kills, 238 assists and 63 aces.
Today Hughes continues to be involved and give back to IU athletics on the Board of Directors of the I Association. The I Association is an alumni network of former IU student-athletes that seeks to bind together those that have battled for the Cream & Crimson.
When did you first start playing volleyball and how did you get interested in the sport?
I started playing volleyball in middle school along with track, basketball, and softball. I joined a club team my freshman year in high school. Initially, it became my favorite sport because I didn't have to touch another sweaty person and I didn't get dirty. As I continued to play it, I discovered that I really enjoyed jumping and diving for the ball. I couldn't get enough of it.
What did you enjoy the most from your student-athlete experience at IU?
I loved playing in Assembly Hall and all of the other arenas around the country. It's fun to see those facilities on television and recall the times when I played on those courts, too. I enjoyed living off campus with my teammates Jill and Katie and doing all of the silly things we did.
What did you learn from your experience at IU that you have used later in life?
Observing how others treat people (myself included), I learned that we all have survived some kind of challenge in our lives and we shouldn't judge people unless we've walked a mile in their shoes. Be kind. Treat others with respect and the way you want to be treated. Having that as a core value seems to lend itself to being trustworthy. And, being trustworthy opens the door to responsibility. As I grew through the program, I developed leadership skills and the ability to persevere. All of these things (respect, trustworthy, responsibility, leadership, perseverance) laid the foundation for a successful career.
Favorite spot on campus at IU and favorite restaurant in Bloomington?
My favorite spot on campus is Assembly Hall, no question. I really enjoyed walking through the halls and looking at all of the team photos. In case you didn't know, prior to the renovation, every team photo lined the walls of Assembly Hall. I played two seasons in Assembly Hall and jumping and landing on that floor was a dream compared to the University gym at 10th and the bypass. Our locker room, training room, and weight room were there (with the exception of having to lift weights in the football weight room my senior year). I spent more time in Assembly Hall than any other place on campus.
So many choices (Little Zagreb, Mother Bears, Nicks, The Irish Lion, The Village Deli, Runcible Spoon) but the restaurant that brings up the most memories is Macri's Deli where we had many pre-game meals. We ate there so much I guess I learned to love it.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
While at IU, during the summer and before leaving the apartment to go to class or the weight room, I would pack my car with a beach towel, radio, volleyball, beach chair, and cooler. After class I would drive to Fairfax Beach on Lake Monroe and spend the rest of the day reading, playing volleyball, swimming, and listening to music. Occasionally, I still go.
Now, I like to jog and enter races that have cool finisher medals. The last couple of years I did a lot of gravel bicycling racing, like the DK200 (a 206-mile bike race in the flint hills of Kansas). I have a list of countries to visit and I'd like to master the game of pickleball. I like to spend my free time doing some type of activity or having some kind of experience. Stacey (right) with her mother at an IU tailgate.
What has it meant to you to continue to be involved in IU athletics with your work with the I Association?
When I reflect on leaving IU, I realize how challenging of a time it was. I was looking for a job to begin my career. I was sad to leave the familiarity and comfort of IU. But, I had to move on with the next phase of life, and I just disconnected. I got busy with my career and going back to school to earn a Ph.D. I didn't think much about rekindling that relationship until I found out the I Association was hosting a baseball game watch event at Victory Field, so I went to check it out. I had a great time! Without the I-Association, I probably would've stayed disconnected. The I-Association pulled me in and rekindled my relationship with IU and IU athletics. These people are like me, they know what it is like to wear the cream and crimson on their back. They toiled and succeeded through the peaks and valleys of being an elite, IU athlete. The I-Association was my gateway back. I'm learning that my experience leaving IU is not uncommon, so the work of the I-Association "To bind more closely together those who battled for the Cream and Crimson and render service to IU Athletics" is an opportunity for me to bring I Winners back to IU and get involved in IU Athletics again.
What advice would you give to the IU volleyball 2020 team?
Look for opportunities in the challenges or circumstances you face this year and never give up.
