January 28, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

10 things you don’t know about me… Cliff Hastings

We asked the owner of Prime Time Volleyball and the Parkland Head Volleyball Coach to tell us 10 interesting facts about himself! Get to know Cliff Hastings!

1. What is something you always carry with you? my phone – although fun fact, I never talk on it — just a ton of email and texts all the time.

2. Where is your favorite place to travel to? My favorite experience was Israel from a religious experience perspective. But my favorite place I visit often is Tokyo.

3. What is the best advice you have ever received? Under-promise, over-deliver.

4. What is your most valuable (to you) possession? When I was a kid, I had a stuffed Clifford the Big Red Dog animal. I kept it all these years, and when I see it, it constantly brings back memories from when I was a kid. I remember taking him with me to get my tonsils out — and I remember taking him on the bus for my first day of kindergarten. It’s a priceless reminder of memories of hugs from my mom or the love I felt from that stuffed animal when things were tough, etc.

5. What is a movie or tv show you have watched again and again? Law & Order SVU — one would think I’d know who did what, but I never remember and love it every time.

6. What do you enjoy about your job? I probably love most that I have so many jobs and they really fulfill me in totality — software company gives me adult, stimulating conversation; Parkland volleyball gives me great opportunities to mentor young women finding themselves; Prime Time Volleyball gives me the chance to run a large organization of coaches, parents and kids.

7. What is the most unique thing you have ever dealt with your job? Around my fifth year of coaching at Parkland, I realized that we weren’t stopping to use the restroom on long trips like past teams did. I made a statement like “I’m amazed at your bladders.” A girl responded with “oh no, we just use our drink cups.” It may have been the first time in my life that I was speechless.

8. What is your favorite childhood memory? My parents and I took a water tank trailer into town to get water for our pool. It got a flat tire, and my dad was changing the tire. He asked me to help. Five minutes later, he called out for me and asked why I wasn’t helping. I told him I was. I was on top of the water tank trailer waving at the cars driving by. I truly thought that was me helping. He didn’t find it overly funny at the time, but we have a good laugh about it now.

9. What is a talent or hobby you have that may surprise people? While I used my athletic gifts post-college for coaching, I actually paid for my college through my singing and musical instrument skillsets. So I would say that my signing and then my ability to play the most random instruments known to man are my secret skills.

10. What was the best gift you have ever received for your birthday? I just got a puppy for my most recent birthday – that was not my best gift. But it did remind me of my absolute favorite which was an Oscar the Grouch alarm clock when I was 8. He would pop out of the garbage can and complain at me “Ring, ring – get up there – it’s Oscar the Grouch here, and it’s time for you to get up.” I loved that clock.

in Life, People
Banner
Related Posts

‘We are here to stay’

September 19, 2019

September 19, 2019

AJ’s Station is here to stay. Owner Anthony Laubscher said he wanted to let the St. Joseph community know, that...

10 things you don’t know about me… Kelly Cooper

April 30, 2019

April 30, 2019

Ogden Village Trustee Kelly Cooper was elected in 2017. Since then she has worked diligently to make sure Ogden has...

SJO football clinches playoff berth with win at BCC

October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

The St. Joseph-Ogden football team can beat teams in multiple ways. Kodey McKinney can drop back and unleash accurate passes...

SJO FFA holds petting zoo

February 21, 2019

February 21, 2019

An annual tradition is taking place at St. Joseph-Ogden High School today—the SJO FFA petting zoo to celebrate National FFA...

Dukeman shines in classroom and in athletics

March 7, 2019

March 7, 2019

School comes easy for St. Joseph-Ogden High School junior Hannah Dukeman. Dukeman, who plays softball for SJO in addition to...

Senior spotlight: Chloe Duckett

May 16, 2019

May 16, 2019

Leading up to graduation, we asked five seniors five questions. Next up is Chloe Duckett! What will you be doing...

SJO community mourns death of Glenn Fisher: ‘He had a heart of gold’

January 12, 2021

January 12, 2021

Glenn Fisher liked to tease people. Whether he was telling the newly hired football coach at St. Joseph-Ogden High School...

10 things you don’t know about me… Pastor Kim Dancey from Homer UMC

August 23, 2019

August 23, 2019

I am a friend and follower of Jesus and live in the wonder of his grace. I’ve been married to...

‘This role has been an amazing one to take on’

April 1, 2022

April 1, 2022

Wyatt Loghry has loved the Addams Family since he was little. And now, he is playing the patriarch, Gomez Addams....

‘There was a spunk and tenacity to her that would never quit, concede or fail’

February 2, 2023

February 2, 2023

Tiffany Kelley was many things. A loving mother. A great friend. An inspiration and a fighter. The St. Joseph resident...

Bracelets honoring Booker bring attention to Scott’s Law

April 5, 2022

April 5, 2022

Vickie Reese is hoping a bracelet will help people remember to move over when they see flashing lights. Reese, the...

Kids say…

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

Every week we ask five students from a local school to answer a question on a worksheet. This week the...

Kids say…Would you like to be a farmer? Why or why not?

October 22, 2019

October 22, 2019

Every week we ask area students questions about being a farmer. This week we spoke to kids at PVO South....

Senior Spotlight… Ally Monk

January 29, 2020

January 29, 2020

What are your plans after you graduate from St. Joseph-Ogden? After graduation, I plan on attending the University of Missouri...

Franzen finds freedom in music

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Dakota Franzen is an inspiration. Marching Band Director Chuck Hess said Franzen’s efforts to be the best he can be...

Comments
Leave a Reply