FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Randy Sapoznik, Executive Director
United States Youth Volleyball League
Tel: (310) 643-8398; Randy@usyvl.org
YOUTH VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE NAMES TWO SPORTS LEGENDS
TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
HAWTHORNE, Calif. (January 7, 2005) --- Former Los Angeles Lakers and NBA star, Kurt Rambis, of Manhattan Beach, and pro beach volleyball legend, Jim Menges, of Santa Monica, Calif. were named on December 15, 2004, in a unanimous vote to the Board of Directors of the United States Youth Volleyball League (USYVL), the nation’s largest grassroots, youth volleyball league established in 1997 and serving over 30,000 youth participants between the ages of 8 and 14 years. The USYVL operates community-based youth volleyball leagues in over 70 locations throughout the U.S. to provide boys and girls with the opportunity to learn and play volleyball in a “fun, safe and supervised environment.”
Rambis enjoyed a successful, 13-year NBA career that included four World Championships in 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988. He was promoted in the Los Angeles Lakers’ organization in September 2004 to the position of Vice President of Business and Basketball Integration after serving as an assistant coach for the past three seasons. He serves as an advisor to team owner, Dr. Jerry Buss, and consults on all business development matters concerning the NBA’s Lakers as well as the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. He previously served as an Assistant General Manager and the team’s interim Head Coach for part of the 1998-99 season. Rambis became aware of the USYVL when his children participated in the league and developed an immediate love for the sport of volleyball.
“I am looking forward to working with the USYVL, a sports organization that allows children a chance to learn new skills in a positive environment using specialized equipment such as lighter balls and lower nets to help provide a fun experience for participants," said Rambis. "Like basketball, I consider volleyball to be one of the ultimate team sports that teaches kids the value of teamwork and the importance of working as a team and caring about your teammates. These are qualities in sport that I try to instill in my own kids," he added.
Menges is a name synonymous with success in the sport of volleyball. He comes to the USYVL by way of a storied pro beach volleyball career that included historic victories at major events such as the Manhattan Beach Open and the U.S. Championships. He is considered a legend in the sport, whose success raised the visibility of beach volleyball to become one of the most popular Olympic sports today. He continues to influence its development on a global platform by contributing to the sport through coaching. He is responsible for training some of the top teams in the world, most who go on to win FIVB World Tour events including the World Championships, and domestic events in the U.S. He has trained some of the most successful players in Olympic history, including Jose Loiola ( Brazil) and Olympic Gold Medalist, Misty May (USA). To this day, Menges remains in the top 10 on the all-time career list with 48 tournament victories. Menges now resides and trains in Santa Monica, California.
“I am honored and extremely humbled to join such a wonderful youth organization as the USYVL. My involvement will allow me to help these kids learn more about the sport of volleyball and the benefits of exercise in their lifestyles,” said Menges. “I am pleased to be able to help introduce these kids to beach volleyball in particular, a sport they will be able to enjoy and share with their families for a lifetime,” he added.
Rambis and Menges join other Board Members, Mike Puritz of Laguna Niguel, Calif., William Martinez of Oak Park, Calif., Lori Okimura of Maui, Hawaii, and Randy Sapoznik of Los Angeles, Calif. who serves as Executive Director of the organization. In addition to these individuals, the USYVL has assembled a National Advisory Commission comprised of the nation’s leading experts on the sport of volleyball representing coaching education, administration, sporting goods manufacturing and international sports.
Since the league’s inception in 1997, over 30,000 boys and girls have participated on community –based teams. The USYVL operates 8-week Fall and Spring seasons and has been successful in developing a standardized teaching method for youth participants that has produced measurable results. The league strives to offer an affordable opportunity for kids to participate, and has adopted a policy of providing financial assistance for participants in need. The USYVL is recognized by sporting goods manufacturers as the leading volleyball organization for youth development, and has been instrumental in changing the design and production of volleyball products for the youth sports marketplace, including new balls and equipment designed specifically for the USYVL and available in major retail outlets.
For more information about the USYVL, please contact the league headquarters toll free at (888) 988-7985, or visit online at www.USYVL.org.
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