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Barry Goldberg (volleyball coach)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Barry Goldberg (February 21, 1962 – March 25, 2023) was an American volleyball coach. He was head coach of the women's team at the American University.

Early life and education

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Goldberg grew up in Pittsburgh and attended Peabody High School, where he played volleyball and golf.[1] After graduating from Peabody High School, Goldberg attended the University of Pittsburgh where he played on the Pittsburgh Panthers men's volleyball until it was discontinued in 1983. As a result, Goldberg served as a player-coach for the club team during his senior year and then served as an assistant coach on the Pittsburgh Panthers women's volleyball team after he earned his Bachelor of Arts.[2]

Coaching career

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After completing his master’s degree in counselling education, Goldberg accepted a position as a drug rehabilitation counselor while working part-time as the American University volleyball coach.[2] However, he was eventually promoted to head coach after the American University Eagles had four dismal seasons.[1] In his first season as head coach, the Eagles earned a 15-6, 15-9, 15-5 win record over Clarion University of Pennsylvania.[3] At the conclusion of the 1989 season, Goldberg's Eagles amassed a 25-11 record and he was named 1999 Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year.[1] Prior to the Eagles joining the Patriot League, Goldberg would win the Coach of the Year title two more times in 1997 and 2000.[4] Once the team moved to the Patriot League division in 2001, Goldberg helped the Eagles win 64 matches and four NCAA Tournaments to claim 400 wins by 2005.[5]

By 2016, Goldberg led the Eagles to 14 Patriot League tournament championships as he earned his 700th win as head coach[2] and was named Patriot League Coach of the Year.[6] The following year, he signed a five-year contract extension to stay with the Eagles.[7] Three years later, he helped the team earn their 16th Patriot League Championship under his leadership and first since 2011.[8]

Personal life and death

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Goldberg and his wife Bonnie had three children together who are also involved in athletics.[9]

Goldberg died from cancer on March 25, 2023, at the age of 61.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Hilgers, Kevin (November 20, 2003). "The man, the myth, the Goldberg". theeagleonline.com. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Salandro, Vincent (December 20, 2016). "Straight from print: 700 and counting". theeagleonline.com. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  3. ^ @AU_Volleyball (October 3, 2018). "#Barry30... 1989 - Barry's first season… The Goldberg Era on Massachusetts Avenue began with a comfortable, 15-6, 15-9, 15-5 win over Clarion. Just three seasons removed from an 0-19 campaign and the year after a 19-22 record, Goldberg's Eagles went 25-11" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ "BARRY GOLDBERG". aueagles.com. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  5. ^ "400 WINS!!! AU HEAD COACH BARRY GOLDBERG REACHES MILESTONE IN WIN OVER LOYOLA (Md.)". patriotleague.org. August 30, 2005. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  6. ^ "Patriot League Announces Volleyball All-League Teams and Major Awards". patriotleague.org. November 15, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  7. ^ "Goldberg Receives Contract Extension". dcoutlook.com. September 15, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  8. ^ "American Crowned 2019 Patriot League Women's Volleyball Champions". patriotleague.org. November 24, 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  9. ^ Segal, Matt (June 4, 2016). "GOLDBERG NAMED ASSISTANT VOLLEYBALL COACH". msueagles.com. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  10. ^ "American University volleyball coach Barry Goldberg dies at 61". Volleyball Mag. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.