Bob Samuelson

For the business and economics columnist for the Washington Post and Newsweek, see Robert J. Samuelson.

Bob Samuelson
Personal information
BornRobert Lewis Samuelson
July 30, 1966 (1966-07-30) (age 58)
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 Lewis Samuelson (born July 30, 1966)[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.[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

After finishing high school at Westchester High School in Westchester, Los Angeles, Samuelson played volleyball for Los Angeles Pierce College, leading the team to the state title in 1986.[5] He was also selected as California's junior college player of the year.[5]

Samuelson then played college volleyball at Cal State Northridge (CSUN), where he was a two-time All-American.[6] He set the school record with 44 kills in a match against George Mason in 1989.[7]

Samuelson was inducted into the CSUN Hall of Fame in 1994.[6]

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] Samuelson led the team to the championship in his first season, and was named the league's Most Valuable Player.[1]

Beach volleyball

Samuelson briefly played beach volleyball in 1994, and then again between 2004 and 2006.[8]

Personal life

Samuelson is a father of triplet boys.[8]

Awards

  • Two-time NCAA All-American
  • FIVB World Cup bronze medal — 1991
  • Olympic bronze medal — 1992
  • FIVB World Championship bronze medal — 1994
  • CSUN Hall of fame — 1994
  • Japan V.League Champion — 1995
  • Japan V.League MVP — 1995

References

  1. ^ a b c "Bob Samuelson". Olympedia. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  2. ^ 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)
  3. ^ Bondy, Filip (August 10, 1992). "Barcelona: Volleyball; Youth Is Served as Americans Grab a Bronze". The New York Times. p. C2. Retrieved September 6, 2024. (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. B11. Retrieved July 23, 2023. (subscription required)
  5. ^ a b Henderson, Martin (July 19, 1991). "Samuelson Turns Loss Into Asset for U.S. Volleyball Team". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 6, 2024. (subscription required)
  6. ^ a b "Members of the Matador Hall of Fame". CSUN Athletics. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  7. ^ "CSUN Sets Record in Volleyball Win". Los Angeles Times. February 15, 1992. Retrieved August 31, 2023. (subscription required)
  8. ^ a b "Bob Samuelson". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2023.