Friday, August 3, 2001

USA Volleyball Saddened By The Death Of Jim Coleman

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO ­ USA Volleyball was deeply saddened this morning
to learn of the death of Jim Coleman. Dr. James Eugene Coleman (69) of San
Diego, California passed away early this morning at St. Mary's Hospital in
Duluth, Minnesota. He was admitted to the hospital in Duluth over two weeks
ago from his summer cabin in Ely, Minnesota and was diagnosed with acute
pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Coleman, who has worked with
USA Volleyball and their National Teams for over 40 years, was most recently
serving as the Team Leader for the USA Men's National Volleyball Team,
having accompanied them during their World League events in May and June.

"Not only USA Volleyball, but the entire sport of volleyball has lost an
absolutely irreplaceable human being and resource," said Doug Beal, USA
Men's National Team Head Coach. "Jim Coleman meant more to me personally
than anyone I have ever encountered in sport. He represented everything
positive; and motivated and guided so many people and so much that was good
and joyous in our world. His dedication, his commitment, his willingness to
work, his ability to span almost every facet of our game was unparalleled. I
can't think of any coach that hasn't been touched by Jim Coleman. I
seriously doubt that we will ever see anyone again who will combine Jim's
technical knowledge, his inquisitiveness, his personality and enthusiastic
energy. His contributions are timeless and that is probably the most
redeeming emotion that I can feel at this moment; and the privilege it was
to know and work with this dear friend." Jim Coleman was one of the true
American Volleyball coaching pioneers of the modern age, particularly at the
international level. Overall Jim took part in seven Olympic Games, eight Pan
American Games, five World Cups, six World Championships and eleven NORCECA
Championships of which he was a co-founder. Coleman was the coach of or
worked with every national men's team and coach since 1965. Coleman served
as the Head Coach of the USA Men's National Volleyball Team three separate
times 1965-1970, 1979-1980, and finally in 1990. In 1968 he was the Head
Coach of the
USA Men's Olympic Volleyball Team that competed in Mexico City, Mexico. He
served as an Assistant Coach for the USA Men's National Volleyball Team from
1971-1972 and 1987-1990. Since 1998, he has served as an advisor to current
USA Men's National Volleyball Team Head Coach Doug Beal. Coleman served as
the Team Leader for the 2000 USA Men's Olympic Volleyball Team in Sydney,
Australia. He was part of the Coaching/Advisory staff during USA
Volleyball's greatest era,
1984-1988 when the USA Men's Team won the Olympic Gold Medal at both the
1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul,
Korea; as well as the 1985 World Cup, the 1986 World Championships, and the
1987 Pan American Games. This five-year run of victories crowned the USA
Team as the best men's team in the history of the sport. Coleman has said
that his favorite memory was the victory ceremony at the 1988 Olympic Games
because it was the culmination of a great five-year dynasty.

Marv Dunphy, Head Coach of the 1988 USA Men's Olympic Volleyball Team
recalls, "Jim was a special person. I can't think of anybody that has done
more for the sport in their time than he has. He loved the game and he loved
USA Volleyball. It was just special to be around someone with that kind of
passion. I think where we are and where we are going in this sport is due in
large part to him. Everybody has their pioneers and he was the guy. He
always put the game ahead of himself. He just had so much respect for the
sport. He was a wonderful, wonderful, loyal person. Nobody has done more for
volleyball than Jim. He was unbelievably loyal to the sport and to the
people that played the game." James Eugene Coleman was born in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin on October 22, 1931 to George and Meme Coleman. He learned the
game of volleyball from his father who was on the staff of the Springfield,
Ohio YMCA. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1949 and then
attended Wittenberg University (Ohio) where he earned a Bachelor of Arts
Degree in Chemistry in 1953. He got a Master's Degree in Physical Education
at George Williams College in Illinois and received his
Doctorate of Education Degree from Brigham Young University in 1975.

Coleman taught chemistry and other science classes for 20 years at The
University of Kansas, Wittenberg University, and George Williams College.
Coleman started the volleyball program at the University of Kansas and
turned it into one of the best in the country, finishing third at the 1957
Collegiate Championships and second a year later. He played for and coached
the Dayton YMCA team from 1958-1962, the Springfield, Ohio YMCA team from
1963-1964 and the Kenneth Allen (Illinois) team from 1965-1973. He was the
Head Coach of the George Williams College Men's Volleyball Team in 1973,
1974, and 1976, winning the NAIA National Championship in 1974. Coleman
coached the Women's Volleyball Teams at Whitman College and Washington State
University from1981-1984. He was also involved in two women's professional
volleyball leagues, as the head coach of the Minneapolis entry in Major
League Volleyball (MLV) in 1987 and more
recently with the United States Professional Volleyball League (USPV) of
which he was named Vice President of Technical Affairs in December 1999.

Coleman was one of the first systematic volleyball statisticians. He and his
wife, Lee created volleyball statistical systems, which are now used
worldwide. He also created the net antennae used in today's competition. He
was a member of the FIVB Rules of the Game Commission for 25 years and was
an editor of the FIVB Rules Casebook. He was an advocate for many rule
changes in the game including the tie-break game, serving from behind the
entire endline and changing the match format.

Coleman officially retired from USA Volleyball in 1998, but his integral
involvement did not end as he continued to serve the organization and the
national teams in consulting and international relations roles. Coleman has
received numerous accolades and recognition for his contributions to the
sport he loved so much. He has received three of the most distinguished
awards presented by USA Volleyball: the George J. Fisher Leader in
Volleyball Award in
1964, the Harry E. Wilson Distinguished Service Award in 1996,
and the All-Time Great Volleyball Coach Award in the Pioneer Division in
1999. "Jim was pretty much the soul and in a sense a legend of USA
Volleyball," said Kerry Klostermann, Executive Director of USA Volleyball.
"He contributed so much in so many ways; from coach to administrator to
visionary, that his impact on the sport will be remembered for a long time."

USA Volleyball President Albert Monaco, Jr. added, "All of us who are in
senior leadership positions with USVBA today were mentored in some form by
Jim in our earlier years. Without Jim we would not have national teams,
statistical analysis, comprehensive rules, and the coaches, administrators,
and officers that lead us today. We will never be able to replace him and we
will always remember him. Our prayers and good thoughts are with him and his
family. We will
miss him for sure."

Coleman is survived by his wife Lee; by his children; a daughter Kim (36)
and her husband David Boone, a son Jay (35) and his wife Shauna Coleman, a
daughter Teri (33) and her husband Peter Kane, and a daughter Jodi (31); and
by four grandchildren, Sarah Boone (11), Wesley Boone (9), Ki Coleman (5)
and Coleman Kane (4 months).

Arrangements for services are pending. In lieu of flowers the family
requests donations be made to a memorial fund. A notice will be sent out
once arrangements are finalized. Cards of condolence can be sent to the
Coleman family at the following address:

233 East Birch Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Monday, August 6, 2001

Memorial Celebration Of Jim Coleman's Life Planned
Date: Friday, August 17, 2001
Time: 4:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time
Place: Del Cerro Heights Recreation Center ­
San Diego, California

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO ­ A Memorial Celebration of Jim Coleman's Life
has been scheduled for next Friday, August 17 in San Diego,
California. The Memorial Celebration is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m.
Pacific Daylight Time at the Del Cerro Heights Recreation Center. Members of
the family will speak and show slides and photos of Jim. Following the
family, many of Jim's closest friends will share their memories of him.
Anyone wishing to contribute a photo or slide can send a hard copy to Jim's
daughter, Kim Boone, at 4202 N.E. 110th Street, Seattle, WA 98125. Photos
can also be scanned and
e-mailed to the following address: Kim@.... There will be food
and beverages available following the formal service. This will be a chance
for everyone to share "Jim Coleman stories" and to celebrate his life. A
book of remembrances will be available for those who would like to bring a
written letter for the family. Cards and letters can also be e-mailed in
care of Patty Riddle and Terry Dutton at bear.press@....

Please share this information with anyone who knew Jim and would appreciate
hearing about this Memorial Celebration.

For more information or if you have any questions please contact Rudy or
Colleen Suwara by e-mail at: Rudysuwara@... or phone: (619) 287-2583
or Doug Beal by e-mail at: Doug.Beal@..., or phone (719) 228-6869.

There will also be a gathering on Saturday morning, August 18, at Ocean
Beach where Jim loved to play. Details are being finalized.

For more information please contact Cecil Bleiker, Coordinator,
Public Relations and Publicity for USA Volleyball at: (719) 228-6800 or
e-mail: Cecil.Bleiker@....

This release is also available on the following websites :
www.Volleyball.ORG www.usavolleyball.org and usocpressbox.org.




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