Retired Olympic volleyball player empowers her community through new sports academy in Dania Beach

A retired volleyball athlete is trying to make sure everyone gets a chance to play her sport Heather Walker shows us how in this Spotlight This huge state-of-the-art sports complex is now open to the citizens thanks to a volleyball star living right here in Dania Beach Rita Crockett is a two-time Olympic volleyball player She won a silver medal in the Summer Olympics making her the first Afro-Latina woman to receive that award She also competed internationally in beach volleyball and was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in Rita continued her love of the sport coaching volleyball at a number of universities Before retiring she spent years as the head coach at Florida International University Rita Crockett For me it s just what I do I loved it and had fun doing it After a life well played she longed to share her love of sports with others Rita Crockett So I came from an extreme humble living and I just promised myself that I would be somebody someday that can help people like me when I was a little girl get out of where I was Rita s husband read an article in a local newspaper about the city supporting new initiatives that would enhance and bring together the Dania Beach area Rita pitched the idea of a sports complex Dania Beach Mayor Joyce L Davis When Rita brought this idea it was the first of its kind something that could bring something new enthralling and fun for our entire district The mayor approved the plan and Rita covered half the cost Now the Rita Crockett Beach Sports Academy is open to the inhabitants inside Frost Park There are eight sand courts to play volleyball beach volleyball tennis soccer flag football and pickleball Kids are already putting them to good use Nathan Vogel The facility is beautiful I love volleyball and we came here in the current era for a little sneak peek at what the activity s gonna look like This new facility is also building a family legacy Rita s daughter Marritta helps run the courts Rita Crockett We have this beautiful place There s nothing like this in America and the sand is beautiful I m happy I m happy I m unretired Rita may have stepped off the court professionally but the contentment of the competition has never left her and now she is sharing it with others Rita Crockett I play to win This is a winning project and it will win for the Dania Beach area Even with all her medals Rita says setting up this sports hub for her society has been her biggest win Heather Walker News If you know of a person place or group that you think we should highlight email us at spotlight wsvn com