Rudy Suwara

Rudy Suwara was a New Yorker who graduated from CCNY in 1965, but then went to graduate school at UCLA while he was playing volleyball. Suwara competed for the US at the 1966 and 1970 World Championships, the 1968 Olympics, helped win a gold medal at the 1967 Pan American Games, and a silver medal at the 1971 Pan Ams. He was a US Volleyball All-American for 11 consecutive years, 1964-74. Suwara played for multiple clubs, including Westside Jewish Community Center, LA Tigers, Los Angeles YMCA, United Sporting Goods, San Diego Chart House, Santa Barbara VBC and Santa Monica Sand & Sea Club.

After UCLA Suwara became the head coach at U Cal Santa Barbara from 1971-74. He then was player/coach of the San Diego Breakers in the professional International Volleyball Association for a few years. He returned to coaching at San Diego State University, serving there from 1976-91. He is a member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Hall of Fame, and received the All-Time Great Player Award from the US Volleyball Association in 1976. Suwara was named to USA Volleyball’s 75th Anniversary All-Era Team for 1953-77.