Rita Crockett

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameRita Louise•Crockett (-Buck)
Used nameRita•Crockett
Nick/petnamesThe Rocket
Born2 November 1957 in San Antonio, Texas (USA)
Measurements174 cm / 64 kg
AffiliationsHouston Cougars, Houston (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Rita Crockett was considered the best athlete on the US women’s volleyball team in the early 1980s, blessed with a 42-inch vertical leap. She joined the US National Team in 1978 and won bronze medals at the 1981 World Cup and the 1982 World Championships, and silver medals at the 1983 Pan American Games and 1984 Olympics. She played professionally in Kobe, Japan with the Daiei Team from 1982-86, helping them win the Japan League Championship in 1986. Crockett played in Major League Volleyball in its only seasons, 1986-87, winning the league MVP award in 1986. She then played in Italy from 1988-93, with both Matera and Roma, being named league MVP in 1991, and helping the Roma team to the 1993 European Championship. Crockett finished her indoor playing career in Switzerland with RTV Basel, serving as a player-coach, and winning the Swiss Cup from 1994-96 and being named MVP four times.

Crockett was also successful on the beach, winning the 1989 World Championship with Jackie Silva, and placing second in 1990 with Angela Rock. She played four seasons with the Women’s Professional Volleyball Association (WPVA) and two seasons with the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP). Crockett then entered coaching full-time, coaching at the University of Iowa, and then serving as associate head coach at Florida State. She became executive director, president and head coach of the North Florida Volleyball Association and runs her own camps, the Rita Crockett Volleyball Camps & Clinics. Crockett also became assistant athletic director at Florida International University. She was elected to the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2011.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1984 Summer Olympics Volleyball (Volleyball) USA Rita Crockett
Volleyball, Women (Olympic) United States 2 Silver

Special Notes