This is one in a series previewing the inductees going into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on Saturday.
This year there are nine inductees, two indoor players in Italian Andrea Zorzi and Cuba’s Regla Bell; two beach players in American Tim Hovland and Brazilian Ana Paula Henkel; Brazilian coach Jose “Ze” Roberto and ParaVolley coach Hadi Rezaei of Iran; two officials in Argentinian Juan Angel Pereyra and American Sue Lemaire; and Italian Giuseppe Panini, who is going in as a leader.
There are also three special honoree categories recognized this year: John Kessel is receiving the Mintonette Medallion of Merit Award; Bill Kauffman and Ed Chan are being honored posthumously with the inaugural Award for Media Excellence; and Michael Kane, Mike Knapik, Aaron Vega and Don Humason are receiving the Mayoral Award of Excellence.
In a country where volleyball holds a deep and storied tradition, being recognized as a legend is a remarkable achievement. Yet, there are a few who rise even above legendary status, and José “Zé Roberto” Guimarães is one of those exceptional individuals. His unparalleled contributions to Brazilian volleyball have cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest coaches, both nationally and globally.
Zé Roberto holds the unique distinction of being the only coach in volleyball history to win Olympic gold medals with both men’s and women’s teams. This incredible feat alone sets him apart, but his impact on the sport extends far beyond these victories.
“He gets his teams to play incredibly hard,” USA women’s Olympic coach, also one of Roberto’s best friends. “One of the hallmarks of his teams is they rarely make the unwise or dumb mistake. He coaches them to be very patient .If they don’t have the swing, they will tip to the right area. Tactically and technically they are always a sound team. Their fundamentals are very sound.”
Zé Roberto’s journey in the Olympics began not on the sidelines, but on the court. He first competed as a player in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, where he represented Brazil. His transition from player to coach marked the beginning of a legendary coaching career. Over eight Olympic appearances, Zé Roberto has guided his teams to five Olympic medals, demonstrating his enduring excellence and adaptability over nearly five decades. His first Olympic coaching triumph came with…
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