Barry Goldberg (volleyball coach) explained

Barry Goldberg (February 21, 1962 – March 25, 2023) was an American volleyball coach. He was head coach of the women's team at the American University.

Early life and education

Goldberg grew up in Pittsburgh and attended Peabody High School, where he played volleyball and golf.^[1] After graduating from Peabody High School, Goldberg attended the University of Pittsburgh where he played on the Pittsburgh Panthers men's volleyball until it was discontinued in 1983. As a result, Goldberg served as a player-coach for the club team during his senior year and then served as an assistant coach on the Pittsburgh Panthers women's volleyball team after he earned his Bachelor of Arts.^[2]

Coaching career

After completing his master’s degree in counselling education, Goldberg accepted a position as a drug rehabilitation counselor while working part-time as the American University volleyball coach.^[2] However, he was eventually promoted to head coach after the American University Eagles had four dismal seasons.^[1] In his first season as head coach, the Eagles earned a 15-6, 15-9, 15-5 win record over Clarion University of Pennsylvania.^[3] At the conclusion of the 1989 season, Goldberg's Eagles amassed a 25-11 record and he was named 1999 Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year.^[1] Prior to the Eagles joining the Patriot League, Goldberg would win the Coach of the Year title two more times in 1997 and 2000.^[4] Once the team moved to the Patriot League division in 2001, Goldberg helped the Eagles win 64 matches and four NCAA Tournaments to claim 400 wins by 2005.^[5]

By 2016, Goldberg led the Eagles to 14 Patriot League tournament championships as he earned his 700th win as head coach^[2] and was named Patriot League Coach of the Year.^[6] The following year, he signed a five-year contract extension to stay with the Eagles.^[7] Three years later, he helped the team earn their 16th Patriot League Championship under his leadership and first since 2011.^[8]

Personal life and death

Goldberg and his wife Bonnie had three children together who are also involved in athletics.^[9]

Goldberg died from cancer on March 25, 2023, at the age of 61.^[10]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hilgers . Kevin . The man, the myth, the Goldberg . theeagleonline.com . December 29, 2019 . November 20, 2003.
2. Web site: Salandro . Vincent . Straight from print: 700 and counting . theeagleonline.com . December 29, 2019 . December 20, 2016.
3. AU_Volleyball. 1047576877114826753. October 3, 2018.
   1. Barry30... 1989 - Barry’s first season… The Goldberg Era on Massachusetts Avenue began with a comfortable, 15-6, 15-9, 15-5 win over Clarion. Just three seasons removed from an 0-19 campaign and the year after a 19-22 record, Goldberg’s Eagles went 25-11.
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4. Web site: BARRY GOLDBERG . aueagles.com . December 29, 2019.
5. Web site: 400 WINS!!! AU HEAD COACH BARRY GOLDBERG REACHES MILESTONE IN WIN OVER LOYOLA (Md.) . patriotleague.org . December 29, 2019 . August 30, 2005.
6. Web site: Patriot League Announces Volleyball All-League Teams and Major Awards . patriotleague.org . December 29, 2019 . November 15, 2016.
7. Web site: Goldberg Receives Contract Extension . dcoutlook.com . December 29, 2019 . September 15, 2017.
8. Web site: American Crowned 2019 Patriot League Women's Volleyball Champions . patriotleague.org . December 29, 2019 . November 24, 2019.
9. Web site: Segal . Matt . GOLDBERG NAMED ASSISTANT VOLLEYBALL COACH . msueagles.com . December 29, 2019 . June 4, 2016.
10. News: American University volleyball coach Barry Goldberg dies at 61 . 29 March 2023 . Volleyball Mag . 26 March 2023.