Venus Taylor: From Pro Softball Star to Championship Coach & Mentor

From winning an NJCAA Division I National Championship in her very first year as a college coach to leading programs at the Division I level, Coach Venus Taylor’s coaching journey is as remarkable as her playing career. Now the head coach at North Central College, Venus continues to shape the game through her leadership, mentorship, and ongoing work with the Athletes Unlimited Softball League in partnership with Major League Baseball.

In this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Venus shares how her experiences as a professional athlete, a college coach, and a mom have molded her into the leader she is today. We discuss why JUCO, NCCAA, and D3 softball should never be overlooked, the non-negotiables in her program, and the lessons she passes on to every athlete she coaches.

If you want insight into building a winning culture, leading with purpose, and preparing athletes for life beyond the field, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Don’t forget: If you enjoy this episode, come back Monday for Part 2, where we’ll dive deep into the recruiting process and finding the right fit for your journey.

📍 Learn more about my coaching and recruiting resources, read my weekly blog, and subscribe to the newsletter at coachmattrogers.com

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🛩 Recruiting at Cruising Altitude with Joslynn Gallop – Embry-Riddle Volleyball 

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is world-famous for producing pilots and aerospace leaders — but it’s also home to one of the most competitive NCAA Division II volleyball programs in the country. In this Significant Recruiting episode, Head Coach Joslynn Gallop takes us inside the Sunshine State Conference — a league many consider the toughest in all of D2 volleyball.

For 20 years, Joslynn has built a program that thrives on fierce competition, tough love, and a little well-placed trash talk. A former Division I standout at San Jose State, she knows what elite talent looks like and isn’t afraid to challenge her players to reach new heights.

We talk recruiting strategy, what it takes to stand out in one of the most talent-rich conferences in the nation, and why Embry-Riddle is so much more than just a university for pilots and engineers.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to my free weekly newsletter at coachmattrogers.com for more recruiting insights, my latest blogs, and future episodes.

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🛩 Flying High: Joslynn Gallop’s 20 Years of Building Significant Volleyball at Embry-Riddle 

In this episode of Significant Coaching, Matt Rogers sits down with Joslynn Gallop, Head Volleyball Coach at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, for a conversation that’s as direct and energetic as her coaching style.

A former Division I standout at San Jose State, Gallop knows exactly what the best of the best looks like — and she challenges her athletes to get there. She’s built a program over her 20 years at Embry-Riddle that’s defined by a unique mix of fun, competitiveness, and tough love. From embracing a little good-natured trash talk to ensuring her players love the game as much as they push themselves, Gallop has created a culture that thrives on intensity with heart.

You’ll also discover why Embry-Riddle is much more than just a university for pilots and engineers, offering a wide range of academic programs alongside high-level athletics.

This episode is about what it really takes to compete fiercely, lead with love, and build a program that stands the test of time.

🎙️ Don’t miss Part 2 of this conversation on Significant Recruiting this Monday, where Coach Gallop shares her insights on the recruiting process, the traits she values most in athletes, and how recruits can stand out.

To learn more about Matt, his books, and how he supports athletes and families through the recruiting process, visit coachmattrogers.com. While you’re there, subscribe to the weekly newsletter for coaching insights, recruiting tips, and stories to help you lead and compete with significance.

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What D1 Coaches Really Look For: A Recruiting Conversation with Gina Oaks Garcia

In this episode of Significant Recruiting, Matt Rogers is joined by Gina Oaks Garcia, Head Softball Coach at NCAA Division I Cal State Fullerton and 2025 Big West Coach of the Year.

With coaching experience at NAIA, D3, D2, and now D1, Gina brings a powerful perspective on what truly matters in the recruiting process. She shares what stands out in an email, why self-awareness is critical, and how recruits can separate themselves in meaningful ways—even without the biggest travel resumes.

💡 You’ll also hear her unfiltered take on multi-sport athletes—and why she believes there’s still a place at the college level for players who don’t specialize early or play year-round travel softball.

This episode is packed with insight for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to approach recruiting with clarity and confidence.

🎧 Listen now at coachmattrogers.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

📘 Grab Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
📓 Check out The Softball Recruit’s Journal
🎯 Schedule your 1-on-1 strategy session today

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From Player to Program Builder: Gina Oaks Garcia’s Journey Through Every Level of College Softball

In this episode of The Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers welcomes Gina Oaks Garcia, Head Softball Coach at NCAA Division I Cal State Fullerton. A two-time All-American and former professional athlete, Gina has coached at every level of college softball—NAIA, Division III, Division II, and now D1—bringing a unique and powerful perspective on leadership, team culture, and athlete development.  Being back home has suited her as she was named The Big West Conference Coach of the Year in just Year One of her return to lead her alma mater!

Gina shares how her experiences shaped her approach to coaching, what it means to return home to Fullerton, and why D1 programs are increasingly looking to hire coaches from lower divisions. If you're a softball coach, player, or parent, this is a must-listen conversation full of insight and inspiration.

🎯 And if you're here for recruiting help—don’t miss two game-changing tools available at coachmattrogers.com/books:

• Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes – a practical guide to help student-athletes take ownership of their recruiting journey.
• The Softball Recruit’s Journal – the sport-specific tracker, planner, and weekly reflection tool every serious softball recruit needs.

You can also subscribe to the This Week in Significant Coaching newsletter, take the Significant Recruiting Launchpad virtual course, or schedule a 1-on-1 strategy session with Matt directly on the site.

📲 Like, subscribe, and share—this episode was made for the softball community.

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Did you like what you heard and want more?
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Significant Recruiting with Jeff Gard – Earning the Offer

In this episode of Significant Recruiting, I sit down with Jeff Gard, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, to talk about what truly matters in the recruiting process.

Coach Gard pulls back the curtain on how D3 coaches evaluate recruits — and it’s not just about stats. We talk about:

• How effort, energy, and communication shape a recruit’s chances
• What separates a good high school player from a great college teammate
• And why fit, development, and long-term growth should guide your decision-making

Whether you’re just getting started or deep in the process, Coach Gard offers practical advice that every recruit and family needs to hear.

🎯 Listen now and get clear on what it takes to be recruited — and to thrive when you get there.

🎧 Find the episode and more resources at coachmattrogers.com — including Significant Recruiting, The Recruit’s Journal, and the Significant Recruiting Launchpad online course.

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Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://linktr.ee/coachmattrogers

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Did you like what you heard and want more?
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Significant Coaching with Jeff Gard – UW-Platteville Head Men’s Basketball Coach

This week’s episode is a courtside seat to the coaching journey of Jeff Gard, the longtime Head Men’s Basketball Coach at UW-Platteville. We talk hoops, leadership, and the incredible influence of the legendary Coach Jerry Petitgoue, who helped shape Jeff's values both on and off the court.

Coach Gard opens up about:

• Competing in the always-loaded WIAC conference
• Recruiting without an offer???
• How he builds a program that develops great teammates and even better young men

It’s a real, refreshing look at coaching with intention — and just the right mix of basketball talk and bigger-picture wisdom.

🎧 Stick around — Part 2 drops next week with Coach Gard’s best advice on college recruiting.

📚 Check out resources at coachmattrogers.com:
Significant Recruiting, The Recruit’s Journal, the blog, and the Significant Recruiting Launchpad online course.

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🎙️ This Week on the Significant Recruiting Podcast

 What do college presidents really think about athletic recruiting?

In this short but powerful episode, Matt sits down with Dr. James Troha, President of Juniata College and Chair of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council, to discuss how colleges are rethinking the recruitment process—and why families, coaches, and administrators must lead with empathy, honesty, and accountability.

Matt also opens the episode with a deep dive into what true commitment looks like from student-athletes and parents in the recruiting journey, plus practical advice for coaches on how to handle communication with every recruit who reaches out.

🎯 Whether you're trying to understand your recruiting reality or build better habits in your outreach, this episode delivers high-impact insight in just a few minutes.

📍Learn more, grab the books, or schedule your free strategy session at coachmattrogers.com.

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Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://linktr.ee/coachmattrogers

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Did you like what you heard and want more?
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Leading Through the Gray: A Candid Conversation with Dr. James Troha

In this powerful and wide-ranging episode, Dr. James Troha—President of Juniata College and Chair of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council—joins the show for a candid conversation about the state of higher education, college athletics, and student well-being. With honesty, humor, and deep empathy, Dr. Troha and Coach Rogers discuss the urgent challenges facing today’s campuses, including mental health, the national pushback on DEI, and the need to stop coddling students in favor of building real resilience.

They explore why failure is essential to growth, how accountability must be taught—not avoided—and why none of these issues are black and white. This episode will make you think, feel, and reflect on how we care for and lead the next generation.

If you’re a coach, educator, parent, or leader—you need to hear this one.

Stay tuned for Part 2 on Monday, where Dr. Troha dives into the realities of recruiting in Division III and what families need to understand when exploring the D3 path.

For more tools, books, blogs, and recruiting & coaching support, visit CoachMattRogers.com.

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Did you like what you heard and want more?
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🎧 Significant Recruiting Podcast | Featuring Coach Chris Bunch, Webster University 

In this episode of Significant Recruiting, Matt Rogers sits down with Coach Chris Bunch, longtime Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Webster University, to break down what really matters in the recruiting process. 

Coach Bunch shares: 

• What catches his attention when evaluating a recruit
• Why character, communication, and toughness go further than talent alone
• Common mistakes athletes and families make when contacting D3 programs
• What makes Division III basketball unique—and often misunderstood

Whether you're a student-athlete, parent, or coach, this episode is packed with insights from one of the most trusted and experienced voices in small college basketball.
 
📚 Looking for tools to guide your journey?
 Visit CoachMattRogers.com to grab the book Significant Recruiting, explore The Softball Recruit’s Journal, sign up for the Significant Recruiting Launchpad course , or schedule a free recruiting strategy session with Coach Matt today.

Send us a text

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Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://linktr.ee/coachmattrogers

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