Eric Sato played college volleyball at Pepperdine University. At only 180 cm (5-11), he was a back row specialist known for his defensive and setting abilities, and in his era, was considered the top defensive player in the world. Sato played on the USA team at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics, winning gold in 1988 and bronze in 1992. He also won gold medals at the 1986 World Championships and the 1987 Pan American Games, adding bronze medals at the 1994 Worlds and the 1991 World Cup. After the 1992 Olympics, he played professionally on the 4-man pro beach tour, where he was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1997.
Sato went into volleyball coaching, serving as head women’s coach at Grossmont College from 1998-2000. He later coached at Epic Volleyball Club, the Karch Kiraly Volleyball Academy, and at Francis Parker High School in San Diego. Sato’s sister, Liane Sato, also played volleyball for the US at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics.
United States