Karch Kiraly Autograph Signing in Colorado Springs

Bill Kauffman
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: bill.kauffman@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 21, 2010) – U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Assistant Coach Karch Kiraly (San Clemente, Calif.), widely regarded as the greatest volleyball player ever, will sign autographs and give a presentation on Saturday, Jan. 23, at Big House Sports (1480 North Newport Road) in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Kiraly will arrive at Big House Sports at 10 a.m., speak on mental toughness and his perspective on crucial skills to develop, provide on-court instruction to kids involved in Big House Sports’ BHip Volleyball program and sign autographs. The public is invited at no cost to attend, watch, take pictures and get autographs from Kiraly.

Kiraly is also in town for the USA Volleyball High Performance Coaches’ Clinic that runs Jan. 21 through Jan. 23 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He, along with U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand), will make several presentations to over 100 individuals from the United States, Egypt, Tunisia and the Netherlands. The USAV High Performance Coaches’ Clinic requires registration, which has been closed. Media wishing to attend the event should contact USA Volleyball Manager of Media Relations Bill Kauffman (bill.kauffman@usav.org) to arrange interview times.

Kiraly has been recognized by many as the greatest volleyball player ever. He is the only volleyball player –male or female – to win Olympic Games gold medals in both the indoor and beach volleyball disciplines. Further, Kiraly is the first volleyball player – and one of only two ever – to win three gold medals in the sport.

In addition to his duties with the U.S. Women’s National Team, Kiraly still maintains influence on the beach and has been instrumental in its further growth across the United States. He has been active in spearheading the development of the U.S. Open of Beach Volleyball, which was created in partnership with USA Volleyball for the specific purpose of providing an opportunity for adult players to pursue a crowning achievement on a national stage for beach volleyball.

As a player, the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) named Kiraly as the greatest men’s volleyball player of the sport’s first century, citing his performance and courage in leading the U.S. Men’s Team to an unprecedented string of championships including the famed “Triple Crown of Volleyball” consisting of gold medals at the 1984 Olympic Games, the 1985 FIVB World Cup and the 1986 FIVB World Championship. Kiraly also captained the U.S. Men’s Team to their second consecutive gold medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. The FIVB also named him “Best Player in the World in 1986 and 1988.

After years of dominating the game on the hard court indoors, Kiraly returned to the sand and became equally dominant in beach volleyball. He and partner Kent Steffes captured the 1996 Olympic Games gold medal in beach volleyball as the sport made its Olympic debut in Atlanta. Before retiring at the end of 2007, Kiraly had won 148 beach volleyball tournaments (144 domestic, 3 FIVB international events), more than any other player in history. He won at least one tournament in 24 of his 27 seasons of playing beach volleyball, claiming titles with 13 different partners during his four-decade long career. Kiraly was named the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) Most Valuable Player six times.

Kiraly was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2001.

Tags: Karch Kiraly, U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, USA Volleyball High Performance Coaches' Clinic