“You Damaged Me”: As Violent Coach Gets Sentenced for Slapping a Teen Player, Victim Opens Up on the Upsetting Incident

Coaches are an intrinsic part of any sports and sportsperson’s career. But, what happens when they fail to live up to the standards? A volleyball coach in California failed to maintain decorum when he resorted to violence with his player. The player, 17-year-old Grace Hodges of Novato, was visibly shaken and traumatized after the incident. Her parents filed a complaint and coach Konrad Ott was sentenced for abuse.

Konrad Ott is a volleyball coach and the co-founder of the Absolute Volleyball Club in San Rafael, Marin County, California. In April 2023, he became the center of controversy when he hit Grace Hodges, nearly damaging her face. Ott received his punishment of a 10-day sentence and 40 hours of community service.

Volleyball player Grace Hodges believes she is forever traumatized

During Konrad Ott’s training camp in Marin County, a moment between a coach and student ended with him hitting her across the face. The details as to why that happened aren’t out in the open. However, Hodges ended up with bruised cheeks and broken skin on her face.  Her parents, who were traumatized for their daughter too, had filed a complaint to the San Rafael Police.

The police lodged a complaint against Ott for inflicting unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering on a child. The sentencing date was set on the 15th of May, which just happened recently. At the hearing, Hodges said to the Marin County Superior Court, “You treated me like trash and I let you. You damaged me and I’ll never be the same person I was before I met you. I’ve become different and I hate the person you’ve turned me into”, as reported by Marin Independent Journal.

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Hodges, a senior at Marin Catholic High School, and her family, are not over the shock of the incident. However, they are particularly relieved that Konrad Ott won’t be coaching at the Marin Catholic anymore and will be serving his sentence.

Ott’s coaching career comes to an end

Besides his 10-day sentence and 40 hours of community service, Ott will also be under a probation period of 4 years and will be required to complete a 1-year child abusers program. He stepped down from coaching duties at the center which he started with his wife 20 years ago. His wife Katie Pease also used to coach at Redwood High School. At the hearing, Ott broke down saying, “I can’t say I’m sorry enough to you and your family. I will continue to work tirelessly to become the best person I can”.

However, Hodges was convinced that he violated her trust, the sacred student-mentor bond between a coach and a player and that she will never regain her self-esteem. But in time, with Ott no longer coaching, Hodges might get to trust her coach again and enjoy volleyball. This isn’t the first time something like this happened. Former US College soccer player Kiersten Hening too was abused by her coach, verbally. However, with more players coming forward, the scenario might change in the future.

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