By Audrey Herzig and Sarah Masciarelli

Brian Bardell, commonly known as “Coach B”, is a volunteer assistant coach for the Westborough High School girls’ volleyball team. He has gone through many highs and lows throughout his volleyball career and his life. Bardell now commutes everyday from Rhode Island to Westborough to work with the girls of the Westborough High School volleyball program.

In 2015 Bardell lost his left leg from myxoid liposarcoma. There was a very large tumor in his hamstring that resulted in having his left leg being amputated all the way up to his hip. Bardell went through eight rounds of chemotherapy to try and reduce the size of the tumor. Doctors decided that the only effective route was to have his leg amputated. “I went through eight rounds of chemo, and then we found it wasn’t really helping too much, so we decided that amputation was the only course,” says Bardell. In June of 2015, doctors amputated Bardell’s leg.

Through the hardships of learning to live a life with one leg, Bardell has found many positives that help him persevere through adjusting to his disability  “In many ways from positive to negative, from emotional to physical, I mean, I’ve learned to endure more pain and I’ve learned to obviously appreciate life more. I know that’s so cliché but it’s really true,” responds Bardell.

When asked what interests him the most about volleyball Bardell said, “I really like the team aspect of it how everyone has to be a part of it. There’s a lot of sports out there where a superstar can take over the game and volleyball is definitely not one of them.” Specifically he enjoys coaching girls volleyball because, “You get more of a personal relationship with them as opposed to boys.” says Bardell. In general he said that, “Volleyball is just so intricate of a sport, there’s so many fine details behind every aspect of every position that people don’t realize.” Stated Bardell.

Before the amputation, Bardell was a paramedic. When asked about his greatest accomplishment he responded “getting my paramedics license. It was a lot of hard work. I was actually the first in my family to get a college degree so I would say that.” Unfortunately the amputation forced him to stop continuing his path of being a paramedic.  

Bardell was introduced to volleyball by Coach Langevin, in 2003,  who is also a volunteer coach for the girls volleyball teams. Bardell was not a part of a volleyball program in his high school or college career.

Since the amputation Bardell has been interested in sitting volleyball but unfortunately there are no teams around. Sitting volleyball is is modified volleyball where the players sit on the floor instead of standing up. There are a few alterations to the game which include the court size being smaller and the net height being on the floor. “My delusional coaching friends have this fantasy of me playing on the paralympic team in four years.” Bardell is also planning to start a nonprofit for people who are in similar situations as himself.

As a volunteer coach has taught Bardell many things. “Honestly it’s taught me to continue loving and enjoying the game. Since my amputation I haven’t been able to play but watching the girls play every day has made me want to get into sitting volleyball more,” explains Bardell. Volleyball has played a major role in his life, and he will try whatever he can just to get back on the court again. He is very knowledgeable when it comes down to the game, and the Westborough Girls’ Volleyball team has reflected how much of a help he has been.

Bardell is a hard working coach who is committed to his team. He has gone through many ups and down in life, but always gets back up again. His volleyball knowledge and skills have helped to improve the Westborough High School Girls’ Volleyball teams. Bardell is a great example of how tremendous perseverance and hardwork can payoff in the end.