The heartfelt tribute of Madisen Skinner to her former Texas Longhorns coach, Erik Sullivan, grasped people’s attention.
Erik Sullivan, an American former volleyball player who served as the assistant head coach of the Texas Longhorns for 14 years, was named the head coach for the United States women’s national volleyball team.
The United States women’s national volleyball team announced the news on January 6, 2025.
Furthermore, Erik Sullivan has significantly contributed to the success of Madisen Skinner during her tenure in Texas.
During the 2023 season, Erik Sullivan, along with head coach Jerritt Elliott, led Madisen Skinner and her team to win back-to-back National Championships.
Under Erik’s guidance, Madisen Skinner won the Big 12 Player of the Year award and became the Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
Moreover, as soon as the US women’s national volleyball team announced Erik Sullivan as their new head coach, Madisen Skinner displayed her happiness and paid a heartfelt tribute to her former coach through her social media post.
Madisen Skinner took to her Instagram stories to pay heartfelt tribute to her former coach, stating, “Can’t think of a more perfect person to take on this role!! so incredibly happy for you.”
In addition to Madisen Skinner, the Texas Volleyball team also expressed their happiness about their former assistant coach’s new journey.
Texas Longhorns shared a picture of Erik Sullivan on their official Instagram account with the caption, “Best of luck, coach. we’ll be cheering you on from Austin 🤘.“
Madisen Skinner Shared Genuine Appreciation For Her Texas Longhorn Team!
After recently graduating from Texas University, Madisen Skinner paid a heartfelt tribute to her Texas volleyball team and head coach, Jerritt Eliott.
Moreover, Madisen Skinner took to her Instagram on January 4, 2025, to share pictures of her journey at Texas University.
Madisen expressed her love and appreciation for the Volleyball team, stating that words can’t explain how much being a part of this program has meant to her.
She wrote:
“Choosing to trust the Lord when he was pushing my heart to say yes to Texas has been the most impactful and life-altering decision I have ever made.”
Madisen further added that Jerritt, the staff, and the girls welcomed her with open arms when she was at the lowest point in her life and in her volleyball career.
She continued by saying:
over the past 3.5 years, have been challenged, poured into, encouraged, listened to, and most importantly, loved by everyone that has surrounded me, which is something that is so incredibly rare.
Likewise, Madisen concluded her appreciation post by stating that she will forever be grateful for the opportunity to wear the longhorn across her chest and be included in this family.
Thank you to everyone who’s been a part of my journey or simply following it. It’s bittersweet to see this chapter close, but I’m so honored to be part of its legacy.
Skinner joined Texas in 2022, and in her first year, Texas Longhorn selected her as a co-captain, where she recorded 3.66 kills per set on 307 hitting in 28 matches.
Moreover, Madisen won several honorable titles during her tenure of 3.5 years with the Texas Longhorns, including AVCA First Team All-American, AVCA Southwest Region Player of the Year, and Big 12 Conference Player of the Year.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Madisen Skinner was born on July 1, 2001, in Katy, Texas, to father Brian Skinner and mother Rebecca Skinner.
- Her father, Brian, is a former professional basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA.
- Madisen’s sister, Avery Skinner, is a professional volleyball player who plays outside hitter for the United States women’s national team and also in Italian Series A1 professional team Chieri.
- She represented the United States national team at the 2014 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League.
