With more than 30 years experience on the Ann Arbor volleyball scene, Mark Comstock is an institution.

The 58-year-old Ann Arbor resident has been involved with the Ann Arbor Rec & Ed program for so long that his former opponents and teammates are now signing up their children to be a part of leagues.

“I’ve seen generations come in and play,” Comstock says with a laugh.

Comstock enjoys playing all types of sports, but volleyball requires a certain skill set that attracted him to the game. He likes teamwork and calls volleyball “one of the purest team sports.”

An easy-going nature makes Mark Comstock the "good cop" when he teams with his more intense fellow instructor, John Ramirez, in Ann Arbor Rec & Ed volleyball leagues.

Courtesy Rec & Ed

He was also drawn to the volleyball crowd.

”I really enjoy the people that play volleyball,” he said. “They’re a lot more mellow.”

Eventually Comstock began officiating more games than playing. He showed an aptitude for calling games that was on par with his ability to play.

“I always have confidence in using him in the higher level matches,” said Karen Draves, the Rec & Ed volleyball director.

After a while, Comstock began officiating for the Association of Volleyball Professionals and college games.

But at the end of the day he always comes back to the Ann Arbor program.

“I feel that as an official, we are representative of the Rec & Ed program,” Comstock said. “What you put into the program is what you’re going to get out of it.”

Comstock gotten plenty out of the sport. Comstock played in men’s doubles, men’s quads and co-ed doubles leagues in Ann Arbor and eventually began playing in matches across the state.

Weekend tournaments would take him to Kalamazoo, Holland, Grand Haven, South Haven and other cities.

Comstock found that Ann Arbor provided strong competition and forced him to stay on top of his game.

“Ann Arbor was infinitely more organized,” Comstock said. “The talent differential was amazing.”

Comstock would begin playing semi-professional, outdoor volleyball in the Midwest.

“You get to play against some of the best players. The chance to play against them was really nice,” he said.

While he never made a lot of money playing the game, Comstock usually won enough to cover his expenses for the weekend.

“It was more an advanced hobby,” he joked.

Comstock attributes a lot of his success to his partner at the time, Chip Spangler. The pair teamed up for years and Comstock said that Spangler was a marvelous partner to play with.

Because Comstock officiates on so many levels, he witnesses all the varying levels of skill in players. This would sometimes include teams that wanted to play, but didn’t have the proper training to compete.

Comstock had the idea of forming a new league, where he could train the players in proper technique and then have games. He pitched the league to Draves and soon after, the first season was starting.

“It’s been absolutely wonderful for me, I really enjoy it,” Comstock said.

Working with all different skill levels can provide a challenge for Comstock because some players have been playing the wrong way for so long.

“With adults it’s interesting because they need to unlearn some things,” Comstock said. “Some accelerate better than others.”

John Ramirez, 44, from Ann Arbor, also coaches. Together, they play “good cop, bad cop” roles.

“I definitely up the intensity for the programs,” Ramirez said. “Between Mark and I, we provide both sides of the coin.”

Playing the “good cop” is easy for Comstock, because of his easy going nature.

“Working with John is a real pleasure. He is a little bit more no-nonsense,” Comstock said. “Having each other is a really nice balance.”

The first several weeks can be less exciting as the teams run more drills to get the basics down. Comstock stresses communications between players and technique before a formal game begins.

During the match, if Comstock or Ramirez sees something that can be improved upon, they are able to jump in with some critiques.

“I’m much more regimented. I’m more involved in the drills,” Ramirez said. “His skill set leans towards helping and listening to the players.”

According to Draves, the league has been a launching pad for players to start joining the more competitive leagues.

“The most satisfying thing is seeing some of these teams move onto other leagues,” Comstock said.

Players also meet new people and can advance on to a higher level.

“It makes it easy for people who are new in town and don’t know enough people to form a team,” Draves said.

Because of his schedule and his age, Comstock doesn’t get to play as much as he used to, but he still enjoys being around the game.

“I look forward to going down to the gym and working with the people,” he said. “I can’t stress enough how enjoyable it is to see teams grow and the camaraderie they share.”

After spending more than half of his life around volleyball, there’s no sign of Comstock tiring of the game.

“It’s ingrained in my life,” he said. “I can’t see not being around the environment.”

Matt Durr covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at mattdurr@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2532.