Eric Sato
Personal information
Full nameEric Anthony Sato
NationalityAmerican
BornMay 5, 1966 (1966-05-05) (age 57)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
College / UniversityPepperdine University
Volleyball information
PositionDefensive specialist
Number11 (1988)
14 (1992)
National team
1986–1994 United States
Medal record
Men's volleyball
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1988 Seoul Indoor
Bronze medal – third place 1992 Barcelona Indoor
World Championship
Gold medal – first place 1986 France Indoor
Bronze medal – third place 1994 Greece Indoor
FIVB World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 1991 Japan
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1987 Indianapolis Indoor

Eric Anthony Sato (born May 5, 1966, in Santa Monica, California) is an American former volleyball player and two-time Olympian. He was a member of the United States national volleyball team that won the gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.[1] He also played in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain and won a bronze medal.[1] He was a serving and defensive specialist, and was widely considered to be the best defensive player in the world.[1][2] After the Olympics, he played professional beach volleyball.[1]

College

Sato played college volleyball at Pepperdine University.[1]

Personal life

Sato's sister Liane played volleyball with the United States women's national team in both the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games, capturing a bronze medal in 1992.[3][4][5] For the Sato family, a capstone was the 1988 Olympic Games, when Eric and Liane were both competing, and their brother Gary was a coach on the men's volleyball team.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Eric Sato". Olympedia. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  2. ^ Yost, Heather (1999). "The libero rules". NCAA. Archived from the original on July 24, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Chan, Ed (October 2, 2020). "Family matriarch Elissa Sato leaves behind an incredible volleyball legacy". Volleyball Magazine. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  4. ^ Drooz, Alan (May 28, 1992). "Olympic Hopes Still Flourish for Volleyball Veteran Sato". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 27, 2023. (subscription required)
  5. ^ "Ex-SDSU Standout on Women's Team". Los Angeles Times. June 26, 1992. Retrieved June 27, 2023. (subscription required)

External links

United States squad – 1986 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship – Gold medal
United States men's volleyball squad – 1988 Summer Olympics – Gold medal
United States men's volleyball squad – 1992 Summer Olympics – Bronze medal
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