Karch Kiraly
Considered one of the greatest American male volleyball players of all-time, Karch Kiraly joined the U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team in 1981 and was an integral part of teams that won gold medals at the Summer Games in 1984 in Los Angeles and again at the Summer Games in Seoul in 1988. Between the two Olympics, Kiraly won the FIVB World Cup in 1985 and a World Championship in France in 1986. That same year he also won a silver medal at the Goodwill Games. In 1986 and 1988, he was ranked as the top men's volleyball player in the world by the FIVB. After retiring from Olympic play in 1988, he played professionally in Italy from 1990-1992, winning an Italian Volleyball League title and the Italian Cup in 1991. Kiraly returned to Olympic competition at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, this time in the sport of beach volleyball and, together with partner Kent Steffes, won another gold medal.
Kiraly attended UCLA for college and won three NCAA Men's Volleyball Championships in 1979, 1981 and 1982 as the Bruins compiled a 123-5 record during his time in Westwood. Kiraly's jersey number is retired by UCLA and he's a member of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame and California Sports Hall of Fame. After his playing days, Kiraly turned to coaching and began leading the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team in 2012. He's also served as a broadcaster, providing color commentary for volleyball matches on NBC and ESPN.
Considered one of the greatest American male volleyball players of all-time, Karch Kiraly joined the U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team in 1981 and was an integral part of teams that won gold medals at the Summer Games in 1984 in Los Angeles and again at the Summer Games in Seoul in 1988. Between the two Olympics, Kiraly won the FIVB World Cup in 1985 and a World Championship in France in 1986. That same year he also won a silver medal at the Goodwill Games. In 1986 and 1988, he was ranked as the top men's volleyball player in the world by the FIVB. After retiring from Olympic play in 1988, he played professionally in Italy from 1990-1992, winning an Italian Volleyball League title and the Italian Cup in 1991. Kiraly returned to Olympic competition at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, this time in the sport of beach volleyball and, together with partner Kent Steffes, won another gold medal.
Kiraly attended UCLA for college and won three NCAA Men's Volleyball Championships in 1979, 1981 and 1982 as the Bruins compiled a 123-5 record during his time in Westwood. Kiraly's jersey number is retired by UCLA and he's a member of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame and California Sports Hall of Fame. After his playing days, Kiraly turned to coaching and began leading the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team in 2012. He's also served as a broadcaster, providing color commentary for volleyball matches on NBC and ESPN.
