Karch Kiraly

Charles Frederick "Karch" Kiraly (pronounced /ˈkartʃ kɪˈrаɪ/; born November 3, 1960 in Jackson, Michigan), is an American volleyball player who is the only person to have won Olympic gold medals in both the indoor and beach versions of the sport. Kiraly started for the Santa Barbara High School Dons and his father Lazlo was instrumental in helping found the program. The Dons won the CIF SS title with Kiraly in 1978 over Laguna Beach High School u... more

Charles Frederick "Karch" Kiraly (pronounced /ˈkartʃ kɪˈrаɪ/; born November 3, 1960 in Jackson, Michigan), is an American volleyball player who is the only person to have won Olympic gold medals in both the indoor and beach versions of the sport. Kiraly started for the Santa Barbara High School Dons and his father Lazlo was instrumental in helping found the program. The Dons won the CIF SS title with Kiraly in 1978 over Laguna Beach High School under coach Jack Olmstead and were runners-up in 1976 to San Clemente High School. Kiraly started for the UCLA Bruins volleyball team from 1979 through 1982. He was named All America all four years. While playing in UCLA's Pauley Pavilion under coach Al Scates, he led UCLA to three NCAA Men's Volleyball Championships in 1979 (undefeated season), 1981, and 1982 (undefeated season). During Kiraly's four years on the team, UCLA won 129 matches and lost only 5. Kiraly won Most Outstanding Player in 1981 and 1982. He was inducted into UCLA's Hall of... less