Background
Karch Kiraly was born on November 3, 1960, in Jackson, Michigan, United States; the son of Laszlo and Toni (Iffland) Kiraly. He grew up in Santa Barbara, California, United States.
Karch Kiraly
700 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, United States
Santa Barbara High School, where Karch Kiraly studied.
301 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
Karch Kiraly of the UCLA Bruins volleyball team sets the ball at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California, between 1979 and 1982.
University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
From 1978 to 1983, Karch studied at the University of California, Los Angeles.
1988
Seoul, South Korea
United States volleyball team in action with star Karch Kiraly (in the air on left) during the Summer Olympics.
California, United States
Karch Kiraly bumps the ball while playing in California.
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Karch Kiraly of the United States serves the ball during a match in the Pan American Games circa August of 1987 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Karch Kiraly of the United States returns the ball during a match in the Pan American Games circa August of 1987 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
2014
Milan, Italy
Head coach of the United States women's national volleyball team Karch Kiraly looks on during the FIVB Women's World Championship Final match between China and the United States on October 12, 2014, in Milan, Italy.
2014
Milan, Italy
United States players celebrate victory with head coach Karch Kiraly after the FIVB Women's World Championship Final match between China and the United States on October 12, 2014, in Milan, Italy.
2015
2-1 Izumicho, Kita Ward, Okayama, 700-0012, Japan
United States head coach Karch Kiraly looks on for the national anthem before the match against Argentina during the FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup Japan 2015 at Momotaro Arena on August 31, 2015, in Okayama, Japan.
2015
2-1 Izumicho, Kita Ward, Okayama, 700-0012, Japan
United States head coach Karch Kiraly talks to his players during a time out in the match against Cuba during the FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup Japan 2015 at Momotaro Arena on September 1, 2015, in Okayama, Japan.
2016
Av. Pres. Castelo Branco, Portão 3 - Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20271-130, Brazil
Karch Kiraly looks on while taking on Serbia in the Women's Volleyball Semifinal match at the Maracanazinho on Day 13 of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games on August 18, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
1992
San Diego, California, United States
Karch Kiraly in action during the AVP Beach Volleyball Tour in San Diego, California.
1996
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Karch Kiraly of the United States dives for the ball during the Beach Volleyball semifinals tournament game with Kent Steffes against John Child and Mark Heese of Canada at Atlanta Beach during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games on July 27, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia.
1996
Atlanta Beach, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Karch Kiraly of the United States, left, tries to block a shot by Mark Heese of Canada during the Kiraly & Steffes of the United States versus the Canadian team of Heese & Child at Atlanta Beach at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
1996
Atlanta Beach, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Karch Kiraly of the United States celebrates a point during the Kiraly/Steffes of the United States versus the Canadian team of Heese/Child at Atlanta Beach at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
2000
Montrose Beach, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Karch Kiraly of the United States slams the ball back over the net during the Chicago Grand Slam, part of the FIVB World Tour 2000, at Montrose Beach in Chicago, Illinois.
2003
Hermosa Beach, California, United States
Karch Kiraly dives for the ball while playing with his partner Brent Doble during the AVP Nissan Series Hermosa Beach Open at the Target/Mervyn's Beach Bash on June 8, 2003, in Hermosa Beach, California.
2005
Main St. and Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, California, United States
Karch Kiraly in action during the Men's Semi-Finals of the 2005 Huntington Beach Open at the Huntington Beach Pier on August 13, 2005.
2007
401 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602, United States
Karch Kiraly returns a volley during the AVP Crocs Tour Esurance Tampa Bay Open on June 2, 2007, at the St. Pete Times Forum (now Amalie Arena) in Tampa, Florida.
1996
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffes at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame
444 Dwight St, Holyoke, MA 01040, United States
Volleyball Hall of Fame
The Olympic Games Gold Medal, that Karch Kiraly won in 1984.
Seoul, South Korea
The Olympic Games Gold Medal, that Karch Kiraly won in 1988.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
The Olympic Games Gold Medal, that Karch Kiraly won in 1996.
1988
Seoul, South Korea
United States volleyball team in action with star Karch Kiraly (in the air on left) during the Summer Olympics.
1992
San Diego, California, United States
Karch Kiraly in action during the AVP Beach Volleyball Tour in San Diego, California.
1996
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Karch Kiraly of the United States dives for the ball during the Beach Volleyball semifinals tournament game with Kent Steffes against John Child and Mark Heese of Canada at Atlanta Beach during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games on July 27, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia.
1996
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffes at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
1996
Atlanta Beach, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Karch Kiraly of the United States, left, tries to block a shot by Mark Heese of Canada during the Kiraly & Steffes of the United States versus the Canadian team of Heese & Child at Atlanta Beach at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
1996
Atlanta Beach, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Karch Kiraly of the United States celebrates a point during the Kiraly/Steffes of the United States versus the Canadian team of Heese/Child at Atlanta Beach at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
2000
Montrose Beach, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Karch Kiraly of the United States slams the ball back over the net during the Chicago Grand Slam, part of the FIVB World Tour 2000, at Montrose Beach in Chicago, Illinois.
2003
Hermosa Beach, California, United States
Karch Kiraly dives for the ball while playing with his partner Brent Doble during the AVP Nissan Series Hermosa Beach Open at the Target/Mervyn's Beach Bash on June 8, 2003, in Hermosa Beach, California.
2004
Culver City, California, United States
Karch Kiraly during the Surfrider Foundation 20th Anniversary Celebration at the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, United States.
2005
Main St. and Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, California, United States
Karch Kiraly in action during the Men's Semi-Finals of the 2005 Huntington Beach Open at the Huntington Beach Pier on August 13, 2005.
2006
San Clemente, California, United States
Karch Kiraly poses for a portrait on the beach on November 17, 2006, in San Clemente, California.
2006
3021 Airport Ave Suite 203, Santa Monica, CA 90405, United States
Karch Kiraly during "Heal the Bay - Bring Back the Beach" at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, United States.
2007
401 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602, United States
Karch Kiraly returns a volley during the AVP Crocs Tour Esurance Tampa Bay Open on June 2, 2007, at the St. Pete Times Forum (now Amalie Arena) in Tampa, Florida.
2007
5460 Courseview Dr, Mason, OH 45040, United States
Karch Kiraly waves to fans as he is honored before the men's final of the AVP Pringles Smart Flavors Cincinnati Open presented by Herbalife at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on September 1, 2007, in Mason, Ohio.
2014
Milan, Italy
Head coach of the United States women's national volleyball team Karch Kiraly looks on during the FIVB Women's World Championship Final match between China and the United States on October 12, 2014, in Milan, Italy.
2014
Milan, Italy
United States players celebrate victory with head coach Karch Kiraly after the FIVB Women's World Championship Final match between China and the United States on October 12, 2014, in Milan, Italy.
2015
2-1 Izumicho, Kita Ward, Okayama, 700-0012, Japan
United States head coach Karch Kiraly looks on for the national anthem before the match against Argentina during the FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup Japan 2015 at Momotaro Arena on August 31, 2015, in Okayama, Japan.
2015
2-1 Izumicho, Kita Ward, Okayama, 700-0012, Japan
United States head coach Karch Kiraly talks to his players during a time out in the match against Cuba during the FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup Japan 2015 at Momotaro Arena on September 1, 2015, in Okayama, Japan.
2016
2200 E Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806, United States
Karch Kiraly speaks during the 2016 Best of Orange County Awards at the City National Grove of Anaheim on September 22, 2016.
2016
9876 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, United States
Karch Kiraly, head coach of the United States women's indoor volleyball team, poses for a portrait at the 2016 Team USA Media Summit at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 8, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California.
2016
Av. Pres. Castelo Branco, Portão 3 - Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20271-130, Brazil
Karch Kiraly looks on while taking on Serbia in the Women's Volleyball Semifinal match at the Maracanazinho on Day 13 of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games on August 18, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
700 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, United States
Santa Barbara High School, where Karch Kiraly studied.
301 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
Karch Kiraly of the UCLA Bruins volleyball team sets the ball at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California, between 1979 and 1982.
UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame
444 Dwight St, Holyoke, MA 01040, United States
Volleyball Hall of Fame
The Olympic Games Gold Medal, that Karch Kiraly won in 1984.
Seoul, South Korea
The Olympic Games Gold Medal, that Karch Kiraly won in 1988.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
The Olympic Games Gold Medal, that Karch Kiraly won in 1996.
University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
From 1978 to 1983, Karch studied at the University of California, Los Angeles.
California, United States
Karch Kiraly bumps the ball while playing in California.
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Karch Kiraly of the United States serves the ball during a match in the Pan American Games circa August of 1987 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Karch Kiraly of the United States returns the ball during a match in the Pan American Games circa August of 1987 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
2006
San Clemente, California, United States
Karch Kiraly poses for a portrait with wife Janna on the beach on November 17, 2006, in San Clemente, California.
Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffes
(This revised edition of Karch Kiraly's Championship Volle...)
This revised edition of Karch Kiraly's Championship Volleyball provides a complete course in volleyball skills, including serving, bumping, setting, hitting, blocking, basic and advanced team defense and offense strategies.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0684814668/?tag=2022091-20
1996
(This book provides its readers with techniques, tactics, ...)
This book provides its readers with techniques, tactics, and training tips.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0880118369/?tag=2022091-20
1999
(The renowned volleyball champion offers a candid account ...)
The renowned volleyball champion offers a candid account of his personal life, dedication to his family, the important influence of his father, and the incredible athletic accomplishments of his nearly three-decade career.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580630545/?tag=2022091-20
1999
coach athlete volleyball player Broadcast announcer
Karch Kiraly was born on November 3, 1960, in Jackson, Michigan, United States; the son of Laszlo and Toni (Iffland) Kiraly. He grew up in Santa Barbara, California, United States.
It was at the age of six, that Kiraly began playing volleyball with encouragement from his father. Kiraly attended Santa Barbara High School, where he was a member of the boys' varsity volleyball team. In 1978, he enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he majored in Biochemistry and was a four-time All-American and led his squad to three national titles (1979, 1980, 1981) in four years. In 1983, the athlete graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the university.
By the time Karch was 11 years old, he had entered his first beach tournament with his father, Laszlo Kiraly, who had played on the Hungarian national volleyball team and introduced his son to the game at an early age. With a vertical leap of 41 inches (104 cm), Kiraly was a standout at Santa Barbara High School and during his senior year was named the best player in the state. He later attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where led his squad to three national titles (1979, 1980, 1981) in four years.
In 1981, Karch joined the United States national volleyball team, and, as the squad's outside hitter, he helped the United States win Olympic gold medals at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles and at the 1988 Games in Seoul, South Korea; at the latter event he was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP). The United States team also won gold at the 1982 and 1986 world championships and at the 1987 Pan American Games. In 1986 and 1988, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) named Kiraly the best player in the world.
In 1989, Kiraly left the United States national team to play with Il Messaggero of Ravenna, Italy, where he was named MVP when the team won the world club championship in 1991. He then concentrated on the financially lucrative beach game that earned him the Association of Volleyball Professionals' MVP title six times (1990, 1992-95, and 1998). At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, beach volleyball debuted as a medal sport, and Kiraly, with partner Kent Steffes, won the gold medal. In 1999, Kiraly surpassed Sinjin Smith as the beach volleyball player with the most victories; by the time of his retirement in 2007, he had won 144 events.
Kiraly remained active in the sport and, in 2012, became coach of the United States women's national volleyball team. Two years later, he guided them to the inaugural FIVB world championship. The team also won the bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Kiraly wrote several books on volleyball, and his autobiography, The Sand Man (written with Byron Shewman), was published in 1999.
Karch Kiraly is one of the most famous volleyball players. In the 1980s, he was a central part of the United States National Team that won gold medals at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games. He also attained the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games, the first Olympic competition to feature beach volleyball. Karch is also known as the only player (man or woman) to have attained Olympic gold medals in both the indoor and beach volleyball categories.
He was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2001 and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame in 2008.
(This revised edition of Karch Kiraly's Championship Volle...)
1996(The renowned volleyball champion offers a candid account ...)
1999(This book provides its readers with techniques, tactics, ...)
1999
Quotations:
"Not everything you're going to do in volleyball - or in life, for that matter - is exciting or fully functional, but if you have the willpower to make each minute count, you'll benefit in some way. And it will make you a better player and a better person in the long run."
"We are all going to fall short. We are going to have some bitter losses, very painful defeats and failures. We have to use those to come back even stronger. That's what makes it sweeter, when we can overcome those and figure out a way to win. The great teams can do that, and those are the gold medal winning teams."
"Practice like it's competition and compete like it's another day on the practice court."
"No volleyball play can begin without a serve, and the serve is the only technique that is totally under your control. In other endeavors, you cannot succeed without believing in yourself, and that belief is completely under your control."
"It's hard to give a career like this up, when I tell my wife I'm going to the office, and it's the beach."
"I never did. I only prepared to win the next day."
"When you've done everything you can to train yourself for competition, you'll sleep well when the tournament is over, win or lose."
"My general rule, which I have followed throughout my coaching career, is that everyone doesn't necessarily get treated the same way, because I'm not sure that's possible. But everyone has to be treated fairly. Moreover, they have to know and trust that they will be treated fairly."
"There's nothing worse than the feeling of wishing you had another chance at a play because you weren't ready. Every athlete has those feelings to mull over, and over and over... Don't even expose yourself to the possibility to being caught off-guard."
While at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Karch was a brother of the Epsilon Sigma Chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Physical Characteristics: Kiraly's height is 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m). He weighs 205 lb (93 kg).
Karch Kiraly is married to Janna (Miller) Kiraly. Their marriage produced two sons - Kristian and Kory.
Laszlo Kiraly played on the Hungarian national volleyball team. He introduced his son to the game at an early age. By the time Karch was 11 years old, he had entered his first beach tournament with his father.
Kent Steffes (born June 23, 1968) is a former American professional beach volleyball player.
