July 23, 2025 • 11 mins
Today, we announce that Lifetime Longhorn Haley Eckerman, a former Texas Volleyball superstar, has been newly inducted into the Texas Hall of Honor. She tells us how it feels to receive honor. She explains how her time at the University of Texas transformed her from humble beginnings in Waterloo, Iowa, to her current role as Volleyball Head Coach at Kent State University. She discusses learning as a head coach, the biggest challenges in college sports, and offers advice for young athletes embarking on their college athletic journeys. She tells us about her relationship with Texas Volleyball Head Coach Jerritt Elliot and what it’s like being a mom while being honored. You can hear it all here on “The Morning Kickoff Show!”
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
There's a special ceremony that will be taking place where
it's ten member class will be inducted into the Texas
Hall of Honor, and one of the guests is joining
me right now. She was a four time All American,
a twenty twelve national champion at the University of Texas.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
She is currently the head coach.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
At the Kent State Golden Flashes, and she is one
of the newest members of the twenty twenty five Texas
Longhorn Hall of Honor. It is my good friend, Hailey Eckerman.
Good morning, Haley.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
How are you? Hey?
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Good morning, I'm good. How are you.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
I'm doing great. I'm doing great. I'm so happy for you.
I'm excited that you get a chance to be part
of this great class.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
We don't know all of them.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
It will all be announced at ten o'clock, but when
I was asked to do an interview with you, I
couldn't help myself. I'm so excited for you and what
you've been able to achieve since your time at the
University of Texas.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Thank you. Yeah, I'm super excited and like beyond honored.
You know, this is kind of that like last kind
of award that you hope for wherever you go to,
whether it's at a Texas or any university. So the
fact that I get to be a part of this
special award is awesome.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Well, it's kind of funny because, as I said, you
were four time All American. You were part of the
twenty twelve national championship team. He was also named the
Longhorn Female Athlete of the Year. He was a Volleyball
Magazine Player of the Year in twenty twelve and twenty thirteen.
You've been able to achieve so many different things in
(01:43):
your career, top ten in a bunch of statistical categories
at Texas, but now you get a chance to be
immortalized forever, and I think that's pretty dog one cool.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Yeah, you know, I think going in, however, you when
I'm in that process when I was younger, wanting to
be a part of obviously a special team and to win,
but knowing the importance of being a long horn legend,
I think is key. And Jared Olia's talked about that,
you know, like the legacy of those that came before you,
(02:17):
and so it's just an honor to be a part
of this special piece of legacy.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
So we're talking to Haley Eckerman.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
She will be part of the ten member class that
will be inducted into the Texas Hall of Honor. The
ceremony will take place Friday, September to twelfth. Make sure
you get your tickets because now she's a coach, so
now she gets to deliver a coach's speech when you
get a chance to get up there, talk about what
(02:45):
you've been able to take from your playing days and
now encouraging others as a head coach.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Yeah, you know, we were pushed throughout our whole those
four years when I was at practice, and I think
really trying to just incorporate those moments into my girls
and get them to understand how to handle adversity as
much as possible. I think my first year is really
hard trying to fix things as a player, and I've
had to learn and kind of figure out in Jared's
(03:15):
mind how he fixed things, and it was tough. I
think my expectations were harder because I was coming from
such a successful program as a player that I had
to get them to get into those habits for them
as a player.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Yeah, and I know that you've got a lot of
mentors and a lot of people that you kind of
lean on in those particular moments. But as you said,
it's been a little bit of a different journey for
you being able to go play professionally and now coming
back and trying to give.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Back to the players that are out there.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
What are some of the biggest challenges that you see
right now, not only in college athletics, but more importantly
what you're want.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
Yeah, I think, you know, the there's not a ton
of the dog mentality, and I don't know where and
when that stopped. I think that's why we were at
Texas so successful because we you know, just had that
dog mentality. So really trying to instill that into our kids.
(04:23):
You know, I think club has its moments because you know,
everybody's paying for it and it's about fun and all this,
and so then you get kids that are expecting, you know,
playing time and not understanding that they have to earn it.
So really just the mindset I think of kids is
so different. And I know it's not in just volleyballs
and other sports too. As I'm talking to coaches and
(04:46):
I think, nil, even though it's a great thing, I
think it can kind of play a role in some
of these conversations that we're having with kids, especially at
the mid major.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Level, no doubt.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
So I wanted to ask you this because obviously Jared
Elliott has gone on and done unbelievable things and continues
to help build this program part of what you were
laying the foundation as well. But when you look at this,
this journey of being able to play at the University
of Texas, play for a guy like Jared Elliott, and
(05:21):
now now get yourself, like you said, immortalized as a
lifetime Longhorn Hall of Honor inductee. What has Jared kind
of leaned on you and told you when you found
out that you were going in?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Yeah, So that's it's funny because when I found out,
I got the call from CDC and Chris Blonzi and
I was told not to tell anybody. So when I
saw Jared, I was like, I don't know, Pinos, you know,
I don't know. It was kind of this funny thing.
And I saw that next day that it's happened to
be in town two and it was kind of just like, well,
(06:02):
do I say something. I don't want to be the
one to say it if he hasn't, So I sent
him a text out, you know, and said, I appreciate
everything that you've done and I wouldn't be here in
this position, being this honor without you because he did
push me. But he also gave me the opportunity to
be at Texas. You know, I came in, I had
committed I halfway through my junior year, found out I
(06:23):
was pregnant, and some people could have just given up
on me, and he stuck through it with me the
whole time, and he got to see Kayden, and he'll
get to see Kayden again because Kayden's gonna come down
to the paul Us Honor. And I think, you know,
for me, that's the biggest piece is that Jared's been
in my life and Caden's like his whole life. So
(06:44):
just getting to be a part of that, I think
has been huge for me to be able to thank him.
And you know, Caden gets these opportunities to see me,
you know, walk across the page and do all this stuff,
and part of that is because of Jared.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Yeah, I've seen your son a lot and he's always present,
and I think it's really really cool when kids truly
don't understand how good mom or dad really was. And
then they get to see these honors that are being
bestowed upon you, So I think that is pretty pretty
awesome as well. So let me ask you this, because
(07:19):
your journey has been a little bit different. You've coached
at different schools. I saw you when you were at
Tarleton State and then you made the move to Kent State.
How does a girl from Waterloo, Iowa make her way
to the University of Texas.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Yeah, you know, part of it was just the culture
that Jared had and the fact was an assistant, you know,
Tanya started the recruiting process for me and then she
left and then Selima came in. I think that was
a really big piece for me on the diversity that
Jarrett had on his team and the culture and allowing
people to be themselves. So that was part of it.
But I always just wanted to go somewhere where everybody
(07:59):
was winning and there was pride in wearing that jersey
and it wasn't about the name on the back of
your jersey. And Texas really did that for me. You know,
the history again, the legends that I'm coming in behind
in the law of honor, it is amazing in itself.
So that was really what brought me to the culture
piece of Texas.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
So I'm looking at I'm looking at some of your accolades,
and it's kind of crazy when you sit back and
think now, later in your career, you go back and
you look at some of the things that you were
able to do. You were second, You were the only
the second three time Player of the Year recipient in
the Big Twelve. You finished in the top ten in
(08:42):
six categories including total points four point four two points
per set.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
And I'm not a.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
Big volleyball officiado, but I'm looking at these numbers and
you're pretty good.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Huh, little bit, you know, I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
That is so awesome. I'm proud of you. I see
what you're doing. I see that you're continuing to spread
the good word. You're giving kids opportunity to change their lives.
And my one question to you is if you were
talking to a kid right now about chasing their dreams,
about the adversity that is going to come in front
of you, what would be your message.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
I think my biggest thing would just be embrace it
and live in the moment. I think you know, even
kids and nowadays are like, oh, I can't wait to
be an adult and it's like, girl, the adult life
is not fun. I wish I didn't have say it though,
or I wish I didn't my kids, I always tell
them like I was happy when I didn't have to
buy volleyball shoes, and then that moment I had to
buy it, like man, But just embrace everything and attack
(09:55):
it and live in that moment and just enjoy it.
I think volleyball it's been a special place right now
with these pro leagues in the States and just the
national speaking that it's getting. I think it's really big
and so really just kind of grabbing it by a
horns and going with it.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
I'm so proud of you. Congratulations. You will be inducted
with a great class. We have another Hall of Honor
member coming up next.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
You don't want to miss that.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
But most importantly, I can't wait to see your name
forever mortalized in the Texas Hall of Honor. It will
happen September the twelfth, starting at seven o'clock.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
And I'm just proud of you.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
And keep going because I know you're working your behind
off to make sure that Kent State is on the map.
So keep working hard. Thank you and I appreciate you
taking the time and have a safe flight.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Thanks.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Congratulations there is Haley Eckerman being inducted into the Texas
Paw of Honor
There's a special ceremony that will be taking place where
it's ten member class will be inducted into the Texas
Hall of Honor, and one of the guests is joining
me right now. She was a four time All American,
a twenty twelve national champion at the University of Texas.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
She is currently the head coach.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
At the Kent State Golden Flashes, and she is one
of the newest members of the twenty twenty five Texas
Longhorn Hall of Honor. It is my good friend, Hailey Eckerman.
Good morning, Haley.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
How are you? Hey?
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Good morning, I'm good. How are you.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
I'm doing great. I'm doing great. I'm so happy for you.
I'm excited that you get a chance to be part
of this great class.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
We don't know all of them.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
It will all be announced at ten o'clock, but when
I was asked to do an interview with you, I
couldn't help myself. I'm so excited for you and what
you've been able to achieve since your time at the
University of Texas.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Thank you. Yeah, I'm super excited and like beyond honored.
You know, this is kind of that like last kind
of award that you hope for wherever you go to,
whether it's at a Texas or any university. So the
fact that I get to be a part of this
special award is awesome.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Well, it's kind of funny because, as I said, you
were four time All American. You were part of the
twenty twelve national championship team. He was also named the
Longhorn Female Athlete of the Year. He was a Volleyball
Magazine Player of the Year in twenty twelve and twenty thirteen.
You've been able to achieve so many different things in
(01:43):
your career, top ten in a bunch of statistical categories
at Texas, but now you get a chance to be
immortalized forever, and I think that's pretty dog one cool.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Yeah, you know, I think going in, however, you when
I'm in that process when I was younger, wanting to
be a part of obviously a special team and to win,
but knowing the importance of being a long horn legend,
I think is key. And Jared Olia's talked about that,
you know, like the legacy of those that came before you,
(02:17):
and so it's just an honor to be a part
of this special piece of legacy.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
So we're talking to Haley Eckerman.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
She will be part of the ten member class that
will be inducted into the Texas Hall of Honor. The
ceremony will take place Friday, September to twelfth. Make sure
you get your tickets because now she's a coach, so
now she gets to deliver a coach's speech when you
get a chance to get up there, talk about what
(02:45):
you've been able to take from your playing days and
now encouraging others as a head coach.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Yeah, you know, we were pushed throughout our whole those
four years when I was at practice, and I think
really trying to just incorporate those moments into my girls
and get them to understand how to handle adversity as
much as possible. I think my first year is really
hard trying to fix things as a player, and I've
had to learn and kind of figure out in Jared's
(03:15):
mind how he fixed things, and it was tough. I
think my expectations were harder because I was coming from
such a successful program as a player that I had
to get them to get into those habits for them
as a player.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Yeah, and I know that you've got a lot of
mentors and a lot of people that you kind of
lean on in those particular moments. But as you said,
it's been a little bit of a different journey for
you being able to go play professionally and now coming
back and trying to give.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Back to the players that are out there.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
What are some of the biggest challenges that you see
right now, not only in college athletics, but more importantly
what you're want.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
Yeah, I think, you know, the there's not a ton
of the dog mentality, and I don't know where and
when that stopped. I think that's why we were at
Texas so successful because we you know, just had that
dog mentality. So really trying to instill that into our kids.
(04:23):
You know, I think club has its moments because you know,
everybody's paying for it and it's about fun and all this,
and so then you get kids that are expecting, you know,
playing time and not understanding that they have to earn it.
So really just the mindset I think of kids is
so different. And I know it's not in just volleyballs
and other sports too. As I'm talking to coaches and
(04:46):
I think, nil, even though it's a great thing, I
think it can kind of play a role in some
of these conversations that we're having with kids, especially at
the mid major.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Level, no doubt.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
So I wanted to ask you this because obviously Jared
Elliott has gone on and done unbelievable things and continues
to help build this program part of what you were
laying the foundation as well. But when you look at this,
this journey of being able to play at the University
of Texas, play for a guy like Jared Elliott, and
(05:21):
now now get yourself, like you said, immortalized as a
lifetime Longhorn Hall of Honor inductee. What has Jared kind
of leaned on you and told you when you found
out that you were going in?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Yeah, So that's it's funny because when I found out,
I got the call from CDC and Chris Blonzi and
I was told not to tell anybody. So when I
saw Jared, I was like, I don't know, Pinos, you know,
I don't know. It was kind of this funny thing.
And I saw that next day that it's happened to
be in town two and it was kind of just like, well,
(06:02):
do I say something. I don't want to be the
one to say it if he hasn't, So I sent
him a text out, you know, and said, I appreciate
everything that you've done and I wouldn't be here in
this position, being this honor without you because he did
push me. But he also gave me the opportunity to
be at Texas. You know, I came in, I had
committed I halfway through my junior year, found out I
(06:23):
was pregnant, and some people could have just given up
on me, and he stuck through it with me the
whole time, and he got to see Kayden, and he'll
get to see Kayden again because Kayden's gonna come down
to the paul Us Honor. And I think, you know,
for me, that's the biggest piece is that Jared's been
in my life and Caden's like his whole life. So
(06:44):
just getting to be a part of that, I think
has been huge for me to be able to thank him.
And you know, Caden gets these opportunities to see me,
you know, walk across the page and do all this stuff,
and part of that is because of Jared.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Yeah, I've seen your son a lot and he's always present,
and I think it's really really cool when kids truly
don't understand how good mom or dad really was. And
then they get to see these honors that are being
bestowed upon you, So I think that is pretty pretty
awesome as well. So let me ask you this, because
(07:19):
your journey has been a little bit different. You've coached
at different schools. I saw you when you were at
Tarleton State and then you made the move to Kent State.
How does a girl from Waterloo, Iowa make her way
to the University of Texas.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Yeah, you know, part of it was just the culture
that Jared had and the fact was an assistant, you know,
Tanya started the recruiting process for me and then she
left and then Selima came in. I think that was
a really big piece for me on the diversity that
Jarrett had on his team and the culture and allowing
people to be themselves. So that was part of it.
But I always just wanted to go somewhere where everybody
(07:59):
was winning and there was pride in wearing that jersey
and it wasn't about the name on the back of
your jersey. And Texas really did that for me. You know,
the history again, the legends that I'm coming in behind
in the law of honor, it is amazing in itself.
So that was really what brought me to the culture
piece of Texas.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
So I'm looking at I'm looking at some of your accolades,
and it's kind of crazy when you sit back and
think now, later in your career, you go back and
you look at some of the things that you were
able to do. You were second, You were the only
the second three time Player of the Year recipient in
the Big Twelve. You finished in the top ten in
(08:42):
six categories including total points four point four two points
per set.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
And I'm not a.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
Big volleyball officiado, but I'm looking at these numbers and
you're pretty good.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Huh, little bit, you know, I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
That is so awesome. I'm proud of you. I see
what you're doing. I see that you're continuing to spread
the good word. You're giving kids opportunity to change their lives.
And my one question to you is if you were
talking to a kid right now about chasing their dreams,
about the adversity that is going to come in front
of you, what would be your message.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
I think my biggest thing would just be embrace it
and live in the moment. I think you know, even
kids and nowadays are like, oh, I can't wait to
be an adult and it's like, girl, the adult life
is not fun. I wish I didn't have say it though,
or I wish I didn't my kids, I always tell
them like I was happy when I didn't have to
buy volleyball shoes, and then that moment I had to
buy it, like man, But just embrace everything and attack
(09:55):
it and live in that moment and just enjoy it.
I think volleyball it's been a special place right now
with these pro leagues in the States and just the
national speaking that it's getting. I think it's really big
and so really just kind of grabbing it by a
horns and going with it.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
I'm so proud of you. Congratulations. You will be inducted
with a great class. We have another Hall of Honor
member coming up next.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
You don't want to miss that.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
But most importantly, I can't wait to see your name
forever mortalized in the Texas Hall of Honor. It will
happen September the twelfth, starting at seven o'clock.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
And I'm just proud of you.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
And keep going because I know you're working your behind
off to make sure that Kent State is on the map.
So keep working hard. Thank you and I appreciate you
taking the time and have a safe flight.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Thanks.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Congratulations there is Haley Eckerman being inducted into the Texas
Paw of Honor
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.