Elridge Blake, an assistant professor of Physical Education at the University of the Virgin Islands, has accepted summer coaching assignments with the National Volleyball Association of St. Maarten and the British Virgin Islands Volleyball Association. He will train the national teams and their coaches in preparation for a series of tournaments during the summer.
Blake, a fitness coach and personal trainer, is certified to teach volleyball by the U.S. Olympic Volleyball Association. He counts a number of volleyball championships among his credits, including an undefeated gold medal championship in 1978 (as a player and coach) in what later became known as the Caribbean Cup in Guyana.
Spending the summer coaching away from home is nothing new to Blake. In the 1980s he coached the St. Kitts' Men's and Women's National Volleyball Teams.
In March 1999, Blake was recognized by the V.I. Amateur Sports Association at its annual "Legends of the Game" sports banquet. In January 2000, he was selected for inclusion in the sixth edition of Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 2000. Blake was anonymously nominated for Who's Who by an honors student who said Blake made a difference in her life.
"What I am most proud of is being a successful teacher for such a long time," Blake said. "Instead of trying to teach, I try to initiate learning."
Blake has taught at UVI since 1975 and plans to return to his teaching position at the University in the fall.
