Press Release courtesy of Pepperdine Athletics
In a ceremony for current and former Pepperdine men’s volleyball players, coaches and alumni held on Sunday afternoon in Smothers Theatre, President Andrew K. Benton and Director of Athletics Dr. Steve Potts announced Pepperdine has dedicated the Firestone Fieldhouse volleyball court in honor of the service and leadership of Dr. Marv Dunphy.
The Marv Dunphy Volleyball Court will soon be commemorated by a display in Firestone Fieldhouse and a more public acknowledgement of Dunphy’s outstanding career will take place at a home men’s volleyball match in 2018.
Dunphy, who announced his retirement as head coach in June, received the honor after hearing kind words and remembrances from Benton, Potts, men’s volleyball alumnus and Olympic gold medalist Sean Rooney, Vice Provost and Professor of Biology Lee Kats and USA women’s volleyball head coach and three-time Olympic gold medalist Karch Kiraly.
In the last moments of the ceremony, nearly 70 former and current players and coaches stood alongside Dunphy on stage for a photo opportunity.
The dedication plaque to be hung in Firestone Fieldhouse stated:
“Dr. Marv Dunphy has been a member of the Pepperdine family since the early 1970s, a tenure in which he served as a student-athlete, an assistant coach, the head menʼs volleyball coach for 34 seasons, a professor, and a mentor. Thanks to his commitment to the program and to his players, the Waves won four NCAA championship titles under his guidance. Marv created a culture that led his student-athletes to embrace and embody the Pepperdine mission of purpose, service, and leadership.
Coach Dunphyʼs Waves—or ʻMarvʼs Armyʼ as they were commonly known—have had success on the international and collegiate volleyball stages as both players and coaches, as well as prestigious careers outside of volleyball. His leadership, character, and integrity on and off the court will forever be cherished by his players, coworkers, and those who know him.
Pepperdine University is pleased to pay tribute to Marvʼs extraordinary service and his many contributions to the life of Pepperdine Athletics by naming the Marv Dunphy Volleyball Court in his honor.”
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