brooke@gilavalleycentral.net
THATCHER – The Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) inducted former Eastern Arizona College (EAC), volleyball coach Gerald Hekekia into its 2016 Hall of Fame class.
A native of Hawaii, Hekekia is the current Pima High School volleyball coach. Hekekia told Gila Valley Central that his interest in volleyball began at a young age.
“My passion started at around 8 years of age when I watched my mom play in an adult volleyball community league, and also watched a men’s volleyball league,” he said. “I was a score keeper, writing the score on a blackboard and having to erase and change the score each time, and this was an assignment that I enjoyed.”
Beginning at a young age, Hekekia’s passion grew as he matured into adulthood.
“From that time on until present, I couldn’t wait for a volleyball game to start,” he said. “I played on sand, concrete, asphalt and indoor courts. I’ve always wanted to improve my skills and knowledge about the game of volleyball, so I’ve attended the American Volleyball Coaches Association clinics for 24 years, starting in 1991.”
Hekekia has since instructed volleyball camps in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and numerous other states as well. He told Gila Valley Central that he enjoys participating in the volleyball camps.
“I will continue to help whenever I can and when asked,” Hekekia said. “The best aspect of my job is to see the improvement the players accomplish and the thrills they go through when they see what they can do.”
