LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Tony Jalan was nominated by a student.

"'You have to want to want it,' said Coach Jalan. My weak-mindedness shortly turned into determination. 'I have to want to want it,' I whispered, stepping back onto the court. I thought I couldn't do it—little did I know I didn't want it hard enough," said the student.

"The whistle blows, the opponent's serve is coming straight for me," said the student. "'I want to want it,' I said one more time as I stepped on the volleyball court. The serve hits my arms perfectly as I pass the ball up flawlessly."

"Coach Jalan was smiling ear to ear on the sidelines as he saw the ball go up in the air along with my energy. I remember going to the bench for a time-out and him telling me, 'That's all you! That's all you!' He never allowed me to beat myself up over simple mistakes and always taught me to be the best player I could be," said the student.

"Normally, when I make mistakes, my confidence goes down, typically staying down, and I make more mistakes. Coach Jalan never let that happen. He was dedicated to making me the best player I could be and the rest of my teammates. He never stopped believing, understanding, or caring," said the student.

"When I first met Coach Jalan, I was a freshman trying out for the Arrowhead volleyball team; in an instant, he immediately became my favorite coach," said the student.

"Coach Jalan wasn't just a coach; he was also a leadership mentor. He conducted podcasts, videos, and classes based on being a leader. Not only did he help others be the best version of themselves, but he was also a father to one child and a sibling to six," said the student.

"Coach Jalan was different from any other coach I have had. He was the most motivating person I have ever met, and he is still to this day. He pushed me to be a good volleyball player along with being a good person and role model. He was always there to train me as a volleyball player but also there to listen if I was having a bad day," said the student.

"'Care stands for concentration, attitude, respect, and effort,' Coach Jalan often preached to us. He wanted us to care every day about how we were playing and performing as a whole team. He taught us how to care by showing us how to care. Coach Jalan is someone I aspire to be in the near future. I will cherish the moments we had together forever, and every day, I will want them," said the student.