USA Volleyball Announces John Speraw as President & CEO

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 25, 2024) – USA Volleyball is pleased to announce that it has hired John Speraw to serve as its president and Chief Executive Officer, starting on October 1.

Prior to becoming the eighth CEO of USA Volleyball, Speraw has served as head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team since 2013 and has been part of the team’s leadership for almost two decades.

“My journey with USA Volleyball began in 1997 as an assistant coach for the World University Games team,” Speraw said. “Reflecting on the teams, players, staff and experiences over the years, I am filled with immense gratitude. To now be entrusted with the opportunity to lead USA Volleyball as president and CEO is both a profound honor and deeply humbling.

“This journey has deepened my passion for this organization—representing our country, advancing the sport, and elevating the experience for everyone involved.

“I am sincerely grateful to the USA Volleyball Board of Directors for this honor and responsibility. I am ready to lead. I am ready to serve.”

Speraw’s coaching and leadership roles within USA Volleyball bring a unique blend of executive vision, recognition of the diverse and complex ecosystem of the sport and expertise in the international scene.

His strategic vision of the sport’s evolution is critically important as USA Volleyball prepares for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympics in Los Angeles and the 2032 Games in Brisbane, Australia.

Speraw is also the founder of First Point Volleyball, an organization dedicated to supporting the growth of boys’ and men’s volleyball across the country.

USA Volleyball Board of Directors Chair Dave Gentile expressed gratitude for everyone involved in the extensive six-month search process for a new CEO.

“What a wonderful cadre of potential leaders that worked through the interview process,” Gentile said. “All of our finalists were highly talented on many fronts, and we thank them for their interest in and support of USA Volleyball.

“The search group composed of key USA Volleyball Board members concluded that John’s overall sport acumen, demeanor, energy, leadership skills and vision for the future of the sport were clearly aligned with the Board’s expectations for the next generation of USA Volleyball.

“Along with the full Board and staff, I look forward to working closely with John over the next several years as he prepares the organization for LA28 and beyond. We are also confident that John’s leadership will always have the mission and role of USA Volleyball as the National Governing Body of the sport of volleyball at the forefront of all we do.”

Besides coaching the U.S. Men’s Team, Speraw has been the head men’s volleyball coach at UCLA since 2012 and guided the Bruins to the NCAA Division I-II National Championship in 2023 and 2024.

Prior to UCLA, Speraw coached UC Irvine men’s volleyball (2002-12) and directed the Anteaters to three NCAA National Championships in six years.

He played middle blocker for the Bruins from 1992-95 and was a member of two national championship teams. He graduated from UCLA in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology and molecular genetics

Speraw and wife Michelle live in Southern California with their two children, Hailey and Brooklyn.