USA Volleyball has announced in its website that American volleyball great Rolf Engen has passed away on July 31, a week before his 89th birthday. The 1991 International Volleyball Hall of Fame inductee was a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team that won gold at the 1955 and 1959 Pan American Games. He also participated in the inaugural FIVB World Championship in 1956 in which the U.S. finished sixth:
“USA Volleyball is sad to hear of the passing of Rolf Engen, one of our legends of the games. He endured the test of time by winning 10 straight All-American first-team honors after winning gold in the first two Pan American Games representing the USA. Rolf then gave back to the sport by starting a boys’ junior volleyball club. He also played a key role in the successful 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles as the commissioner of volleyball.” – USA Volleyball CEO Jamie Davis
More Career Highlights:
- Led the Hollywood YMCA Stars to nine USAV Open Division championships in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Player of the Year in 1958 and 1962.
- USA Volleyball honored Engen with its All-Time Great Player Award in 1966.
- NCAA All-American with UCLA in 1953 and 1954
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