Michael-OHara
Michael O’Hara, the legendary U.S. indoor and beach volleyball player, died at the age of 85.
He was a member of the U.S. national team in the 1964 Olympic Games, the first-ever Olympics that included volleyball tournament in its program. O’Hara previously won a gold medal in the 1959 Pan American Games.
He also won six Open Division titles in the USA Volleyball Open National Championships. He was chosen the most valuable player of the tournament twice. In addition, O’Hara won 12 USA Volleyball All-American awards and was recognized USA Volleyball All-Time Great Player, in 1967.
He will be remembered as one of the best players that competed in beach volleyball. During his career on the sand, O’Hara earned the nickname “The Jumping Jack”, winning 38 Open Beach Championships in his career.
After retiring as a player, he became a board member of the U.S. volleyball federation. Later on, O’Hara was the coach at Santa Monica College, a national referee, broadcaster, TV director, consultant for the Organizing Committee of two Sumer Olympics and one Winter Olympics, and a commissioner of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Series.
O’Hara was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke, Massachusetts, as part of the 1989 class.
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