Danielle Scott-Arruda

Danielle Scott was born Oct. 1, 1972 to Charles Young and the late Vera Scott. She has one child Julianne aka "Queen of Cute". One sister, Stefanie, who is married to brother-in-law Michael Vallery, and one brother, Charles. She has three nieces, Natalie, Danielle (her name sake), and Cierra, three nephews, Emanuel, Jeremy, and Hunter, three great nephews Stefan, Gabriel, Malachi, and Noah, two great nieces Natalia and Madyson who is also one of two Godchildren and Caitlin.

Danielle was born in the beautiful city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she was raised and lived until the age of seventeen. She was brought up going to a Baptist Church, accepting Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of nine. She soon joined the choir with her older sister, and continues to enjoy music and singing. Growing up, one could always find her running around outside playing, skating, being chased by the neighbors poodle or making dolls house furniture, playing board games, tic-tac-toe, sos, you name it, often times with her younger cousin Derrick. She adds, “Those elementary years were a blast. And being so active from my younger years probably helped lead to getting into sports.”

At Kennilworth Middle School, Danielle became active in after school activities and sports, becoming a team manager with hope of also learning and practicing when given the opportunity. She received most improved softball player in eight grade and the accolades just kept coming from there. At Woodlawn High, Danielle was an honor roll student, lettering in volleyball, basketball, softball and track & field. She also played club volleyball and AAU basketball. And the first female to win athlete of the year.

In the fall of 1990, Danielle moved to Southern California on a scholarship to the University of California at Long Beach (Long Beach State University) playing both Volleyball and Basketball and even competed in track and field her final semester. Danielle completed all requirement for a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Sociology fall of 1994. With one year of eligibility remaining in basketball, Danielle choose to forgo it and joined the USA National Volleyball team in June of 1994.

In 1996, Danielle was named to her first Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. After that she played her first professional season in Rome, Italy with team Gierre Roma Pallavolo. Since then she has also played in the Brazilian, Japanese and Puerto Rican professional leagues and numerous other counties while representing the USA during the summer international season including Switzerland, Russia, Thailand, China and Korea to name a few.

The summer of 1997 Danielle played in the four person beach volleyball league for team Norelco. And her other experience on the beach, besides recreation, was in 2000 playing in two AVP tournaments and one FIVB tournament in Madrid, Spain. As well as playing occasionally at the local sand courts at Mango's.

In 1998, Danielle tried out with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. Though she was not selected to the team, she continued to train with them throughout the summer when in town. The following year, she tried out again but was not selected. Finally, after her third and final attempt Danielle was named to the Portland Fire training camp, but was release just before the first preseason match. She commented, “It’s just unfornate the season wasn’t long enough for a coach to take a chance on me…” The Los Angeles Lakers is her favorite sports teams.

After refocusing on volleyball. Danielle went on to make four more Olympic appearances 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing and 2012 London. She holds the USA record as the only indoor volleyball player male or female ever to make five Olympic Games.

Danielle still enjoys playing a game of pick up basketball from time to time. She likes to draw, go to the movies or rent a video and reading during long road trips, and occasionally dabbles in writing for passing time.

Danielle values most her faith, family and friends. She lists her mother and father as the people she admires most because they are “awesome role models.”