On this date in 1960, Charles 'Karch' Kiraly (USA) was born. He is a living legend of volleyball, first earning wide recognition when leading Team USA to gold at the 1984 Olympics. But even before that, he was a star of the sport, having led UCLA (Go Bruins!) to collegiate titles in 1979, 1981 and 1982, and winning Most Outstanding Player in the last two.
After leading the national team to gold in 1984, he led the U.S. to the 1985 World Cup and 1986 World Championship titles, before successfully defending the Olympic title in 1988. For his efforts, FIVB named Kiraly the 'top player in the world' in both 1986 and 1988. In 1992, Kiraly switched full-time to beach volleyball, and became the first player to have both both indoor and beach titles with the beach victory in 1996. Eventually, he set the career beach volleyball win mark with 148. FIVB named him the "Player of the Century" in 2010.
In 2012, he was named as the coach of U.S. national women's team, and most recently led them to the World Championship title, setting them up as top contenders for Rio 2016 gold.
Is there anything he can't do in the sport?
After leading the national team to gold in 1984, he led the U.S. to the 1985 World Cup and 1986 World Championship titles, before successfully defending the Olympic title in 1988. For his efforts, FIVB named Kiraly the 'top player in the world' in both 1986 and 1988. In 1992, Kiraly switched full-time to beach volleyball, and became the first player to have both both indoor and beach titles with the beach victory in 1996. Eventually, he set the career beach volleyball win mark with 148. FIVB named him the "Player of the Century" in 2010.
In 2012, he was named as the coach of U.S. national women's team, and most recently led them to the World Championship title, setting them up as top contenders for Rio 2016 gold.
Is there anything he can't do in the sport?
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