Volleyball News

HUGH MCCUTCHEON INDUCTED INTO THE INTERNATIONAL VOLLEYBALL HALL OF FAME

Wellington, New Zealand, July 24,2018-Former New Zealand volleyballer and double Olympic medal winning coach Hugh McCutcheon has been inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.

 

McCutcheon’s award marks the first time a New Zealander has been added to the illustrious roll of honour and recognises the career of one of New Zealand’s most successful coaching careers in one of the world’s true global sports.

 

The Christchurch-born McCutcheon led the U.S. men’s volleyball team to gold at the Beijing Olympic Games before coaching the U.S women’s team to silver four years later in London, becoming becoming one of only two coaches of any code in history to win medals with both genders.

 

As coach of the high-profile United States team in a global sport which has over 250 million registered players, second only to football, McCutcheon’s rollercoaster ride from the junior ranks at Shirley Boys’ High School in Christchurch, through the elite American college system, and then onto the coveted role as US men’s and women’s head coach, is truly inspirational.

 

 

McCutcheon’s love for volleyball developed in New Zealand where he played on the junior and senior national teams from 1986-90 before moving to the United States. He was also a member of New Zealand’s national team in 1996 and represented his country on the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour in 1997.

 

The U.S. Men’s National Team enjoyed one of its best seasons ever in 2008 under McCutcheon’s guidance including Olympic gold. McCutcheon then transitioned to the head coach position of the U.S. Women’s national team.  He mentored the U.S. women to a 106-39 record in his four years including the 2012 London Olympic Games silver medal.

 

McCutcheon also coaches the Minnesota Golden Gophers volleyball team, a NCAA Division I women’s volleyball team at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. With the New Zealander at the helm the team have enjoyed remarkable success including two appearances in the final four since 2012.

 

His successes coaching men and women internationally, professionally and collegiately, make him one of New Zealand’s highest-achieving coaches in any sport.

 

McCutcheon also returns to New Zealand regularly to hold seminars and training sessions for kiwi coaches and players.

 

“The 2018 class of inductees has some of the most accomplished performers and contributors that the sport has ever seen,” said Doug Beal, co-chair of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame selection committee.

 

“This class pays particular attention and honors excellence over an extended career, setting new standards of achievement combined with longevity.  Each inductee has also given back so much more to the sport than they ever received and continue to lead, inspire, and promote long after their remarkable international successes.  The class of 2018 is truly another special and unique group that further enhances the stature and quality of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame and, indeed, the spectacular growth and success of the sport itself.”

 

The induction class is elected by a vote of past International Volleyball Hall of Fame inductees along with the addition of a fan vote this year. All told, 140 individuals representing 24 different countries will have been inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame after this year’s enshrinement ceremony.

 

Hugh McCutcheon

 

  • Currently Head Coach University of Minnesota Women’s Volleyball Team
  • Hugh has an MBA from the Marriott School of Business and an MSc in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University
  • Overall record as coach of USA Men’s and Women’s teams of 213-72
  • Olympics Gold in 2008 (men) and Silver in 2012 (women)
  • World League Champions (2008) Men
  • Grand Prix (2012) Champions Women (2010, 2011, 2012)
  • Both teams ranked World No.1 during his tenure

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