Sports sparked a love that sustains amid the hustle of life
Chadron State’s interim head volleyball coach Janel Baily’s passion for athletics began at a young age, was further cultivated in high school where she played volleyball, and then again in college, but her love for her husband didn’t take nearly as long to develop.
Janel Baily met future husband Ryan Baily at Western State, Gunnison, Colo., through a mutual friend–former CSC head volleyball coach Amy Spruiell (‘06-’10).
Spruiell shared an office with Baily and introduced the two to each other.
“Sparks flew right away,” Janel Baily said. “We were engaged four months later.”
They have been together for seven years and have been married for the last six.
Ryan Baily is currently in his fourth season at Chadron State as its head track & field and cross country coach.
Janel Baily named her and her husband’s “overall love of sports” as one of the marriage’s positive qualities.
The Bailys moved to Chadron when Janel Baily was nine months pregnant with their second child, son Trenton.
“I’ve always been involved with sports,” Janel Baily said, noting that she coached at Western State and served as a volunteer assistant for Chadron State’s volleyball team during its 2009-10 season.
Maintaining a marriage, caring for two growing preschoolers, and pursuing her master’s degree in organizational management, in addition to her duties as volleyball coach, has been a challenge, Janel Baily said.
As track and field is a spring sport and volleyball is during the fall, one of the two is always coaching during the academic year. When CSC added cross country to its athletic offerings in fall 2012, the Bailys’ schedules got even more hectic.
“It’s definitely not easy,” Janel Baily said. “It’s challenging. I’m done in November, and that’s when his [Ryan’s] very busy time starts.”
Currently, Janel Baily is preparing for the recruiting season, a duty she especially enjoys. Janel Baily said her husband is an expert trainer, and that her own athletes indirectly profit from his expertise.
“He’s extremely brilliant in training,” Janel Baily said. “Anytime I have a question related to training, I go to him.”
Janel Baily said the relationship is symbiotic, as Ryan Baily will also come to her for help with recruiting tips.
“We’re pretty good resources for each other,” Janel Baily said. “I love recruiting, so if he has questions about how to approach women, I’m available.”
The Bailys’ complement each other in more than their love for sports.
“Janel is a very passionate person along with her husband, he is just more outspoken! She is quiet but deadly,” Alyssa Bauer, sophomore of Rapid City, S.D., said.
The couple’s support for each other isn’t limited by familial bonds either. Bauer said Ryan Baily attended every home game the volleyball team hosted during its 2011-12 season, and that, last week, the entire volleyball team, including coach Janel Baily watched last week’s track meet to support Ryan.
Despite being busy, assistant coach JennaRae Jester said the couple makes the most of their spare time and strives to be there for each other at anytime.
“I know that they always go to lunch together, so it’s like little lunch dates. I’d consider that supportive when they’re always finding time for each other, even in the midst of a work day,” Jester said.