Kawika Shoji Appointed to USAV Board of Directors

Kawika Shoji was recently appointed to the USA Volleyball Board of Directors to represent the indoor male athletes. He will start this July and will serve until June 30, 2021. “I am really excited to represent the U.S. Men’s Indoor National Team on the USAV Board of Directors. I am especially excited about the opportunity to work with a diverse group of people within the USA Volleyball family, help improve the indoor athlete experience, and push our company to new heights.”

Athletes are only eligible to run or vote for the Athlete Board of Director position if they are international athletes, which is defined as: “The Athlete Director must meet the eligibility requirements of having represented the United States in Olympics, Pan American Games, World Championships or an Operation Gold competition (as defined by the USOC) within the preceding ten (10) years as determined at the time of the election. All athletes meeting the criteria requirements shall comprise the electorate.”

Shoji was also recently named team captain of the U.S. Men’s National Team for the 2017 FIVB World League. He played for USA in the 2015 FIVB World Cup and the 2014 FIVB World League, earning gold medals in both tournaments. This is not the first time that Shoji has been named team captain either. He served as the team captain for the 2011 Pan American Cup USA team that earned a silver medal; and then again for the 2012 Pam American Cup USA team that finished with a gold medal.

USA Volleyball Board of Directors Chair Lori Okimura praised Shoji’s ability to contribute to the Board of Directors, “Kawika has demonstrated his leadership qualifications on the court as part of our 2016 Rio Olympic bronze-medal team, and by taking on the role of team captain as we enter the 2017 FIVB World League. He is a strong communicator and well respected among his peers. I appreciate his commitment to excellence and his inquisitive nature when it comes to the business of USA volleyball. I respect his desire to become involved in the leadership and governance and I am very much looking forward to involving him in our ongoing discussion of new business opportunities for USA Volleyball in all disciplines. He will be a powerful voice for the athletes of USA Volleyball as their new board representative.”