Sharon Zavala Announces Retirement Following 49 Seasons As Head Coach

Full Interview Below

When you think about high school volleyball in Nebraska, one face is not far from the front of your mind. Sharon Zavala.

Hard to forget a face that's been around the game for nearly fifty years. 

Sunday afternoon legendary head coach Sharon Zavala informed her team that this past season would be her last as the Head Coach of the Grand Island Central Catholic Crusaders, ending a remarkable 49-year run that finished just as it started, with success. 

Regarded by many in the coaching industry as one of the best to ever do it, her numbers speak for themselves, numbers that will probably never be touched or seen again.

49-year career 

1,177-220

11 state championships 

20 state championship appearances 

35 trips to State 

For coach Zavala the love and passion for the school and the sport never faded and still burns, but a health issue last spring forced her to consider stepping away from the bench. Even then, she still struggled with the idea of stepping away from the game that has meant so much to her, her family and the school she has called home for the last 50 years.

Zavala said she still plans on being involved offering assistance as needed to whomever is named the next head coach.

Assistance that the next head coach will surely gladly take.

I speak for an entire community when I say Congratulations Coach Zavala on an outstanding career!  Enjoy your well-earned retirement!