I received an e-mail this morning from Donna Rae Sutherland at Genesee Community College. The Cougars have a great winning tradition and do it with a roster that features many local players. Coach Roger Majeski recently won his 800th career match.
If you want proof that Coach Roger Majeski has created a winning tradition at Genesee Community College, just step inside his office. Plaques, awards and medals adorn his office from his 21 years as head women's volleyball coach at Genesee. On September 27, Majeski led the Lady Cougars to score his 800th career win over Howard Community College.
Coach Majeski began his career at Genesee in 1986 as assistant coach and after only a year was named head women's volleyball coach. With 12 showings at the national tournament, he has maintained a powerful presence in the Western New York Athletic Conference. The Lady Cougars have won 17 conference titles, as well as winning 11 consecutive Region III championships.
Over the years, Majeski has not only led his team to numerous victories and titles, but has also been awarded many coaching honors. He received the Region III Coach of the Year nine times and the District Coach of the year 11 times. He has also received the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) Coach of the Year three times, an award which was voted on by his coaching peers. Majeski is also ranked first among NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) Division II coaches, as well as being ranked second overall among NJCAA Division I, II and III coaches.
Majeski has not only coached successful teams at Genesee, but has assisted his players to move on to Division I schools, be named All American Athletes, and even become professional volleyball players. He coached Marsha Miller '91 who played professional beach volleyball for the United States where she earned a silver medal in the 1999 Pan-American Games.
Stacy Koslosky, a former player for the Lady Cougars in the 2000 and 2001 seasons, believes Majeski isn't just your average coach. "What makes Roger a great coach is that he gets 'it'. Roger is the perfect blend of a technical trainer and a player's coach. He knows everything about volleyball and he easily communicates this to his players. Roger is a very intense leader and it's contagious for his team. He makes his players want to succeed and never settle for anything less than a win. Coach Majeski doesn't just want to win, he wants to win by 15 points."
The women's volleyball program at Genesee has become a well respected athletic program in the North East. Roger has been there for the victories and losses, both on and off the court. From the funny moments of traveling with his teams to various games, to the saddest moments when he lost a player during a home tournament, Majeski has been the solid rock within the program.
As a testament to Coach Majeski's long term concern for his players, 2007 marked the 10th anniversary of the Kaminna Allen Classic Women's Volleyball Tournament. Kaminna Allen was a member of the 1997 Lady Cougars volleyball team when she tragically died from a heart disorder while playing in the Cougar Classic Tournament. The tournament was renamed on her behalf and a scholarship fund was created in her honor. For more than ten years, proceeds from the tournament have supported the scholarship and the efforts of young women to improve their game - both on and off the court.
"The best part of my job is seeing the change in the students who come through my door," said Majeski. "Winning isn't always the greatest part of coaching. It's really satisfying seeing players who might not be the most talented transform into team motivators and leaders. When the light bulb turns on, and my athletes finally understand how I want them to play, that's a great feeling."
As for the future of the Genesee women's volleyball program, Majeski hopes to continue the winning tradition that has been set forth so many years before. He looks forward to maintaining the regional and national power that the Lady Cougars have been in the past, and someday maybe even winning the National Championship.
Majeski resides in West Henrietta, NY with his wife and children. Outside of his coaching job at Genesee, Roger enjoys officiating local volleyball games, as well as playing on an Empire State Master teams in which he has won 6 medals.
