Kuuipo Tom

Head Coach, Women’s Volleyball

Susquehanna University
514 University Ave
Selinsgrove, PA 17870

May 31, 2020

Letter of Recommendation

To whom it may concern,

Please accept this correspondence as a letter of reference and recommendation for Ms. Natalie Arm, a May
2020 graduate from Susquehanna University and a former member of the Varsity Women’s Volleyball Team
of which I am the head coach.

I have known Natalie for the past five+ years, which includes a year of recruiting her from Central Bucks
East High School in PA. During the recruiting process I was most impressed with observing Natalie’s
interaction with her coaches and her team, as well as seeing the great connection that she had with her
parents. She presented herself as a confident yet compassionate team member, leader and individual. She
also looked her parents and coaches in their eyes when they conversed and was not distracted by extraneous
activity going on around her during those conversations. This is one of the most important keys for me
when I’m recruiting young student athletes. It showed me that she would be able to manage feedback,
criticism and praise without distraction. It also showed me the type of character that I like to see in young
people.

Needless to say, once arriving at Susquehanna University I learned much more about her as a player, a
student and an individual. It has been most rewarding to see Natalie evolve into a remarkable and caring
young adult as well as a leader on and off of the court. She is able to manage a leadership role with care
and compassion for everyone on her team. She recognizes problematic issues and does her very best to
successfully resolve them even in the event that it goes against perceived friendship loyalties, in order to
ensure that the right thing is done. She is cool under pressure and very humble when in the spotlight. Her
social skills and interactions are impeccable; she is modest and respectful. And all these things are done
without a designated moniker as she assumes her role as an upper classman without the title of Captain.

Natalie is the epitome of the selfless athlete. She has fought long and hard on the practice court only to
find herself in supporting roles as she constantly is being challenged by talented athletes who seem to be
just a little taller, a little quicker or have had more developmental opportunities for particular roles than
she. Yet, with four years of constant challenges and sporadic opportunities on the competition court,
Natalie has a realized sense that her contributions to the team and program are far greater than landing a
star role in a starting line-up. She mentors the younger players and helps them form a similar foundation
knowing that the cultivation of such a selfless demeanor will take them far in life, long after collegiate
volleyball fades into the past. She is an excellent example for those above, equal to and younger than her.
For an athlete to have such an attitude, and to forego her own desire to be in a starting role in a sport that
she loves, in and of itself speaks volumes her mettle.
 ⚫ Page 2 Kuuipo Tom
Head Coach, Women’s Volleyball
Susquehanna University
514 University Ave
Selinsgrove, PA 17870

May 31, 2020

In addition to her role in the volleyball program, Natalie has managed to be one of the top academicians
on our roster. The team sets and annual goal to maintain a cumulative grade point average of no less than
3.3 and Natalie’s contributions toward that effort are noteworthy. She constantly carries one of the highest
GPA’s on the team--- a task not easily done given the very tough schedule that she is required to balance
and with nearly every weekend of the first two months of each Fall term being on the road.

Over the past several years I have also employed Natalie as a camp volleyball coach in which she is assigned
a lead coaching position for Susquehanna Sports Camps, L.L.C. In this position, Natalie is responsible for
oversight of other coaches and the young athletes attending the camp. The age range of the attendees are
from 7th to 12th grade. The coaches are collegiate athletes. It has been a pleasure to see Natalie utilize her
skills as an educator in developing these young athletes. Her ability to recognize the best learning models
for her student athletes is exemplary, and her passion for teaching, palpable. She has a gift which allows
her to require her student athletes to engage and learn, while exercising excellent timing of empathy and
understanding. She treats people very well and is conscientious of the diverse issues that make up a group.
Through these efforts she has clearly demonstrated that she would be excellent in the classroom as a
teacher.

It is my honor and privilege to recommend Natalie for any position upon which she sets her sights.

Sincerely,

John Kuuipo Tom

Susquehanna University Women’s Volleyball

514 University Ave

Selinsgrove, PA 17870
O – 570-372-4080
F – 570-372-2758
⚫ Page 3 Kuuipo Tom
Head Coach, Women’s Volleyball
Susquehanna University
514 University Ave
Selinsgrove, PA 17870

May 31, 2020