Bob Samuelson
Personal information
NicknameBob
NationalityAmerican
BornRobert Lewis Samuelson
July 30, 1966 (1966-07-30) (age 57)
Port Jefferson, New York, U.S.
Height6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
College / UniversityCalifornia State University, Northridge
Volleyball information
PositionOutside hitter
Number9 (national team)
Career
YearsTeams
1994-1997Suntory Sunbirds
National team
1989–1994 United States
Medal record
Men's volleyball
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1992 Barcelona Indoor
World Championship
Bronze medal – third place 1994 Greece Indoor
FIVB World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 1991 Japan

Robert "Bob" Lewis Samuelson (born July 30, 1966, in Port Jefferson, New York)[1] is an American former volleyball player. Samuelson won a bronze medal with the United States national team in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.[2][3]

At the Barcelona Olympics, Samuelson was the central character in the controversial preliminary round match against Japan in which the United States won until the result was overturned on appeal.[4] A jury set up by the International Volleyball Federation ruled that by Samuelson having received his second yellow card, a red card and an automatic point to Japan should have been given, thus giving Japan the point they needed to win the match.[4] The entire United States men's team then shaved their heads in solidarity with Samuelson.[4]

College

Samuelson played college volleyball at Cal State Northridge (CSUN), where he was a two-time All-American.[5] He set the school record with 44 kills in a match against George Mason in 1989.[6]

Samuelson was inducted into the CSUN Hall of Fame in 1994.[5]

Japanese V.League

Samuelson left the national team to compete for the Suntory Sunbirds of the Japanese V.League in 1994, where he played for three seasons.[1][2] Samuelson led the team to the championship in his first season, and was named the league's Most Valuable Player.[1][2]

Beach volleyball

Samuelson briefly played beach volleyball in 1994, and then again between 2004 and 2006.[7]

Personal life

Samuelson is a father of triplet boys.[7]

Awards

References

  1. ^ a b c "Bob Samuelson". Olympedia. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Robert Lewis Samuelson". Olympics.com. Archived from the original on July 10, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  3. ^ Preston, Mike (August 10, 1992). "U.S. Defeats Cuba; Brazil Wins Gold : Men's volleyball: Americans come back after losing first game. In championship match, the Dutch yield 14 consecutive points in third game". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 31, 2023. (subscription required)
  4. ^ a b c Bailey, Sandra (July 29, 1992). "Barcelona: Volleyball; 12 Angry (Bald) Men Set Out to Make Point". The New York Times. p. 11. Retrieved July 23, 2023. (subscription required)
  5. ^ a b "Members of the Matador Hall of Fame". Gomatadors.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  6. ^ "CSUN Sets Record in Volleyball Win". Los Angeles Times. February 15, 1992. Retrieved August 31, 2023. (subscription required)
  7. ^ a b "Bob Samuelson". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2023.

External links

United States men's volleyball squad – 1992 Summer Olympics – Bronze medal
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