Former assistant coach U.S. Women’s National Team passes away – Obituary
The sad news hit the volleyball world on Monday, March 19 as Greg Giovanazzi of USA bid farewell to life. He was the former assistant coach of U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team from 1990 to 1994.
Giovanazzi graduated from University of California, Los Angeles in 1981. Back then, he was offered to join UCLA volleyball programme as an assistant coach. He accepted the role and helped both men’s and women’s teams of UCLA for next ten years. The Bruins
of UCLA worked out great progress under his leadership. Giovanazzi enabled the Bruins to reach six NCAA Championship semifinals.
He served as the first assistant coach of the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team for four years from 1990 to 1994. He also devoted his services for the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team and helped them to seize bronze medal at the Barcelona Olympic
Games in1992. Giovanazzi was added to the coaching staff of Goodwill Games in 1994. Later on, he also worked as an advisor at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996.
Additionally, he worked for University of Michigan as head coach of volleyball programme in 1992 and played a vital role in the betterment of team. He led the Michigan squad to 104 victories and helped them to secure an NCAA Tournament spot in 1997.
The Chief Executive Officer of USA Volleyball (USAV) Doug Beal expressed much remorse about the loss of a volleyball legend.
He stated, “Greg was one of the most positive personalities in our sport. He made everyone around him feel and perform better in every situation he was involved. This is just a sad and shocking loss. All our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Deb and
daughter, Casey.”
Likewise, the mentor of U.S. Women’s National Team Terry Liskevych who remained with the team from 1985 to 1996 said, “Gio was an outstanding coach who helped catapult our U.S. Women's Team to be one of the elite teams in the world in the early 1990s.”
Terry is currently heading the women’s volleyball team of Oregon State University.
He was indeed an extraordinary person and will be remembered for his exceptional work.
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