Alumna Amanda Wood (B.S. Education, 2012) has been selected as the 2022 Alumni of Achievement award winner for the College of Education at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System.
This past February, Wood took over the helm of the volleyball program at Hoover High School in Hoover, AL., replacing Chris Camper, who retired after 22 years as head coach. Wood made the move after spending the previous 10 seasons as the head volleyball coach at James Clemens High School in Madison, AL., where she compiled a 254-202 mark. Wood was James Clemons’ first volleyball coach when the school opened in 2012 and led the school to five regional appearances in 10 seasons.
“I think the stars aligned,” the alumna says about accepting the Hoover post. “I wasn't looking for a new job, but I got the call, and my husband and I decided it was the right move for our family at that time.”
With responsibilities for the entire volleyball program for three teams – the ninth grade, junior varsity and varsity squads – needless to say, Wood has a full plate each day she comes to work.
“There are 42 athletes in my program, and I am also teaching 10th grade U.S. History,” the alumna explains. “We practice in the mornings from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., and then we have games on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Then travel for tournaments five weekends out of the season to places such as Mobile and Huntsville.”
Wood, then Amanda Smith, was a stalwart athlete for the UAH volleyball team from 2007-2008. She ranks eighth all-time in attack percentage (.262) for the Lady Chargers, excelling in particular in blocks and kills. She played her high school volleyball at Muscle Shoals High School in Muscle Shoals, AL., from 2001-2005, where she helped the Lady Trojans to a 5-A state title in 2001.
Asked about her favorite memories at UAH, it’s easy to guess what comes first to mind.
“Volleyball! I have so many memories from volleyball at UAH,” Wood says. “The fondness that I have every time I tell someone about my athletic experience at UAH is unmatched. The experiences I had, the life-long friends I made on my team and with other athletic teams, the sense of unity and community support among all of the athletic teams was amazing! Not every school can say they have created a community with all of their sports teams where they show up and support one another.
“I think that is something special at UAH, and I know Dr. Cade Smith will work hard to continue that tradition of support amongst all sports teams,” Wood says. “UAH has a great impact on the community. For the most part, the people that come to UAH get their degree and start their careers and family there. It is a great campus, and Huntsville is a wonderful place to live, and it is only going to get bigger and better.”
The honoree is married to Lee Wood, and they have one son, Smith David, who just turned three years old. As for hobbies and special interests, “We have two rescue pit bulls, Zillah and Tank,” Wood notes. “And I love athletics. All sports! I have coached volleyball 12-13 years, tennis for four, swimming on and off for ten years and golf. I also refurnish furniture and read, if I can find the time.”
That does present quite a challenge when one takes a look at a typical day for the former Charger.
“My days are busy to say the least!” she says. “Wake up at 4:30 a.m., leave the house by 5:15, practice 6:00-8:00, plan for my classes. There’s logistics for the volleyball season, meetings with my dissertation chair after school. I usually leave 6th period at 2:00 to get ready for home games or prepare for away games. Ninth grade plays at 4:00, JV plays at 5:00, Varsity at 6:00 on game days, so I don’t get home until around 9:00-10:00, depending on where the game is. Then the next morning we are back in action at 6:00-6:30 for practice! Right now I am not seeing my son except on Mondays and Wednesdays and Sunday, because he is asleep when I leave and asleep when I get home! I miss him.”
But for Wood the sacrifices she makes are important, pointing to a special mission she has for helping others to excel. “I am passionate about creating situations for students to be successful and pushing them past their comfort zone,” the alumna says. “I believe that athletics can provide opportunities to break the poverty cycle in low income neighborhoods. I just wish I could find a way to fund certain sports for those kids that could really benefit them if they had the opportunity.”
This kind of desire to reach out to help others is built from personal experience. As a former college athlete herself, Wood is quick to assert how sports have played a vital role in her life in aspects beyond the courts and ball fields.
“Absolutely! Being a student athlete is hard, and time management is a huge part of it,” she says. “But it showed me I can do hard things. Perseverance and working with others are life skills these days and good ones to have. Right now, with my transition to Hoover, it feels like I am a collegiate athlete with the schedule I am currently keeping! But like I said, I can do hard things, and I can work well with others to make sure we all reach our true potential.”
The honoree is quick to credit her family growing up for providing the inspiration that has gotten her to where she is today.
“My parents – just instilling in me that someone may be better than me, but they will never outwork me,” she says. “I will never be the smartest person in the room, but if it needs to get done, I’m your girl!”
As for what she envisions for the future, Wood tends to foresee herself continuing along a familiar path that has been such an important part of her life.
“I love athletics and I love kids,” she notes. “I hope to one day become an athletic director – that was part of my transition to Hoover. They care about sports, and my current AD does his job really well, and I wanted to learn from him. So that if one day I decide I am done coaching and I want to make that move to leadership, I will have this experience at Hoover on my resume.”
When it comes to education, Wood places her focus squarely where it has always been when dispensing advice – on helping the student.
“You should be in education for one reason and one reason only,” she says. “That should be for the kids. Don’t get caught up in all the logistical demands and requirements – somehow that always finds a way to work itself out. Focus on the kids. Make them feel seen. A kid will run through a wall for you if they know you care. If they are involved in an extracurricular activity – go support them. Ask them how their weekend was. Be involved in their life. It matters! Classroom management is easy when your kids know you care. They are more than just a name on the roster. They are a kid who more than likely could use another adult on their side they can count on.”
