UCLA Bruins Volleyball: A Legacy of Excellence

UCLA boasts a legacy of athletic excellence, with its volleyball program standing as a testament to this tradition. From legendary coaches to outstanding players, the Bruins have consistently been at the forefront of collegiate volleyball, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

A Foundation of Success: Al Scates and the Rise of Men's Volleyball

The story of UCLA men's volleyball is inextricably linked to Al Scates, a name synonymous with the program's unparalleled success. Scates' journey began unconventionally. Initially aiming to coach football, basketball, and baseball, his path shifted unexpectedly towards volleyball. Scates transferred to UCLA and joined the volleyball team in 1959, serving as captain in 1960 and 1961. He earned two degrees in physical education from UCLA: a B.S. in 1961 and an M.S.

In 1963, he received a yearly budget of $100 to serve as the part-time men’s volleyball coach at UCLA and also formed a volleyball league - the Southern California Volleyball Association - of which he served as commissioner. Two years later, in 1965, he won his first USVBA national championship.

Recognized as one of the country's foremost volleyball authorities, Scates' influence extended far beyond the court. He coached National Team members, 27 Olympians, and seven collegiate Players of the Year.

Scates' impact on the sport is immeasurable. Marv Dunphy, the men’s volleyball head coach at Pepperdine University, stated, “Men’s volleyball won’t be the same without him, and when we go to play UCLA, I’ll miss coaching against him. No coach in volleyball will ever match what Al has accomplished."

Building a Dynasty

Scates transformed UCLA men's volleyball into a national powerhouse. His ability to identify and develop talent was remarkable, with numerous players achieving All-American status and representing their countries in international competitions. Scates' coaching philosophy extended beyond technical skills; he prioritized character development and instilled a winning mentality in his players.

Scates' Influence Beyond UCLA

Scates' influence permeated all levels of volleyball. He mentored numerous assistant coaches who went on to achieve their own coaching success, further extending his impact on the sport. Two of those former players are current First Assistant Coach Brian Rofer ’82 and new Volunteer Assistant Coach Sinjin Smith. This marks Rofer’s 22nd year working alongside Scates. Over the years, in fact, Scates has hired dozens of former players to be his assistant coaches, and many have gone on to their own coaching success. These include Reed Sunahara ’89, Dave Nichols ’79, Ricci Luyties ’85, Fred Sturm, John Speraw ’95, Jeff Nygaard ’95, J.T.

A Lasting Legacy

After 50 years of service, Scates retired on June 30, 2012. His departure marked the end of an era, but his legacy continues to inspire and shape the UCLA volleyball program.

The John Speraw Era: Continuing the Tradition of Excellence

Following Scates' retirement, John Speraw took the helm, inheriting a program steeped in tradition. Speraw, himself a former Bruin player and assistant coach, understood the expectations and challenges of leading UCLA men's volleyball.

Building on a Strong Foundation

Speraw built upon the foundation laid by Scates, maintaining the program's commitment to excellence. He implemented his own coaching style while preserving the core values that had defined UCLA volleyball for decades.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

National Championships and Olympic Success

Speraw’s trophy case holds 10 national championship trophies - two as a player, three as an assistant coach and five as a head coach - yet the scope of his impact on volleyball is arguably larger.

Similarly to how Speraw molded the likes of Champlin, setter Micah Maʻa, outside hitter Garrett Muagututia and other current and future Olympians, Scates’ impact also stretched far beyond the walls of Pauley Pavilion. Before Speraw’s coaching retirement, he led the men’s Olympic team, earning a bronze medal both in 2016 and 2024, while also taking gold at both the 2015 FIVB World Cup and 2014 FIVB World League. Speraw took on the position as CEO and president of USA Volleyball after the 2024 Paris Olympics.

A New Chapter

Speraw’s retirement marked the end of an era, paving the way for a new chapter in UCLA men’s volleyball history.

The Modern Era: John Hawks and the Future of UCLA Volleyball

With the departure of John Speraw, John Hawks stepped into the role of head coach, ushering in a new era for UCLA men's volleyball. The newest of the bunch, coach John Hawks, finished his first year with a national title appearance this season.

Embracing Tradition, Embracing Innovation

Hawks inherits a program with a rich history and a passionate fan base. While honoring the traditions of UCLA volleyball, he also brings new ideas and strategies to the court.

Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors

Building for the Future

Hawks is focused on developing the next generation of Bruin volleyball stars. His ability to identify and cultivate talent will be crucial to maintaining UCLA's position as a national powerhouse.

UCLA Women's Volleyball: A Legacy of Dominance

While the men's program has garnered significant attention, the UCLA women's volleyball team has also established a remarkable legacy of its own.

Andy Banachowski: A Coaching Icon

Andy Banachowski was the head coach each year since 1965 until his retirement after the 2009 season, with the exception of the two seasons of 1968-69 and 1969-70, after he graduated from UCLA. In those seasons, Mardi Hardy Monroe was the head coach. Banachowski had more wins than any other NCAA Division I women's volleyball coach, with a record (since 1970, since no records were kept from 1965 to 1969) of 1,106-301. Banachowski had led UCLA to six national championships (3 NCAA-1984, 1990, 1991; 2 AIAW-1974, 1975; and 1 DGWS-1972).

National Championships and Record-Breaking Performances

UCLA women's volleyball has a storied history of success, marked by numerous national championships and record-breaking performances.

UCLA claimed the program's first NCAA national title (fourth overall) after four previous runner-up finishes following the team's 1975 AIAW title. In the deciding fifth game against Stanford, UCLA was down 12-4, but with heroics from Liz Masakayan, the Bruins continued to chip away at the lead before earning match point at 14-13. UCLA won the NCAA title by defeating Pacific 15-9, 15-12, 15-7. UCLA was led by Natalie Williams and Marissa Hatchett who had 12 kills a piece. Playing at Pauley Pavilion, the Bruins repeated as NCAA champions by defeating Long Beach State in five games. UCLA's comebacks was one of the biggest in NCAA history, since this match, no team had ever before rallied from 2 games to 0 to win in five games in the NCAA national championship. After 20 years, the UCLA Bruins captured their fourth NCAA title and seventh overall by defeating Illinois 3-1 on December 17, 2011, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Bruins were seeded ninth in the NCAA championship tournament. On their way to the title game, they defeated 4-time defending champions Penn State and No. 1 seeded Texas to face No. 3 seeded Illinois. Rachael Kidder was named the most outstanding player of the tournament. Lauren Van Orden and Zoe Nightingale were also named to the all tournament team. Head coach Michael Sealy became a champion both as a player and a head coach.

Continuing the Legacy

The UCLA women's volleyball program continues to be a force in collegiate volleyball, consistently competing for championships and developing talented players.

The Bruin Culture: More Than Just Winning

While championships and accolades are important, the UCLA volleyball program is defined by more than just winning.

Relationships and Camaraderie

For junior libero Coleman McDonough, being able to continue Scates’ legacy is something he treasures. “I’m a Pennsylvania kid, so getting recruited by UCLA - it’s definitely something you never thought would happen, especially coming from the storied legacy left behind by Al Scates and all that,” McDonough said.

Champlin said. “The biggest thing I’ve taken away is the relationships that you build at UCLA.

Character Development and Leadership

The UCLA volleyball program emphasizes character development and leadership skills. Players are encouraged to be good teammates, good students, and good citizens.

A Lasting Impact

The experiences and relationships forged at UCLA extend far beyond graduation day. Bruin volleyball alumni continue to make a positive impact in their communities and professions.

tags: #ucla #bruins #volleyball #history