RAPID CITY — Brad DeBeer has worn many hats in the South Dakota volleyball scene.

The Deubrook Area athletic director is this year’s South Dakota Volleyball Coaches Association “Friend of Volleyball” Award recipient. The award is annually presented to individuals or groups who have impacted volleyball with their dedication, time, energy and enthusiasm by supporting, promoting or volunteering in the sport of volleyball. 

“A huge thank you to the volleyball coaches association,” DeBeer said. “I know those ladies and guys that are a part of that put in so much time to really promote their sport and they are kind of a family of coaches. I am honored by them to be a part of that.”

DeBeer has also been a part of South Dakota’s volleyball community since college. DeBeer is an assistant volleyball coach for the Dolphins, was an official for one season and has provided commentary for the South Dakota Public Broadcasting at state tournaments for more than a decade. 

DeBeer, a Sioux Valley High School and Dakota State University graduate, did the PA for college matches for the Trojans. DeBeer’s wife, Rachelle, was also a volleyball player at Dakota State and is the current head coach at Deubrook Area. 

DeBeer also worked South Dakota State University volleyball matches when he worked for a Brookings radio station. 

So DeBeer has naturally had a front row seat to the sport's steady climb in South Dakota. 

“To be around it when it was building — now we know what it is — it’s huge in South Dakota,” DeBeer said. “But when we were just building, it was just fun to be one of those people to help talk about the athleticism that our kids and our state have.”

Brad DeBeer and his wife Rachelle call the game between the Rapid City Christian and Miller Rustlers during the championship semifinals on Friday at Summit Arena at The Monument. (Matt Gade / For 605 Sports)

DeBeer’s volleyball knowledge was developed through time spent with his wife and former South Dakota State volleyball coach Andrew Palileo.  

“He would talk through stuff and I would ask questions,” DeBeer said. “That has helped me understand the game a lot more. I credit him a lot, outside of my wife, for telling me what things are as we started doing stuff.”

DeBeer, who has a patented booming voice, began calling state volleyball tournaments in early 2010s for SDPB. The state volleyball tournaments were held at multiple sites when DeBeer began broadcasting and now it rotates between Rapid City and Sioux Falls for all three classes, which he said is best for the sport. 

“It’s great for volleyball,” DeBeer said. “It exposes the Class B kids to the AA. It exposes the AA kids to the B and with all these offseason teams, they all know each other. They all played together. It’s a lot of fun for them to see their friends now play in their tournaments at the same time.” 

He’s also provided commentary for the SDVBCA Miss Volleyball banquet and all-star volleyball match, which again allows him to be exposed to South Dakota’s elite players. 

“It has become an explosion of athleticism,” DeBeer said. “It brings in a whole new group of kids to give them an opportunity to be out and play a sport. The biggest thing is just the athleticism. It’s just natural now and even for us in small town South Dakota. We get to see those kinds of athletes and kids, programs that have built up in the offseason. It’s been crazy to watch that.”