BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League Volleyball Coach of the Year Award will be named in recognition of American University's legendary head coach Barry Goldberg, announced by the League office. Goldberg, the winningest volleyball coach in League history, led the Eagles to 16 Patriot League titles and 18 trips to the NCAA DI Volleyball Championship.
"Barry Goldberg was a passionate advocate for the sport of volleyball, American University and the Patriot League during his historic career," Patriot League Commissioner Jennifer Heppel said. "All of his career wins, League titles and NCAA Tournament appearances paled in comparison to the impact Barry had on his student-athletes and peers, which is why this is a fitting tribute."
"The name Barry Goldberg is synonymous with excellence, achievement and, most importantly, character," American University Director of Athletics and Recreation Billy Walker said. "We are thrilled Coach Goldberg's name will be forever tied to the annual award for the best volleyball coach in the Patriot League. This honor is a testament not only to his legendary success on the court, but also highlights the tremendous respect Barry garnered from within the League and across the nation. He and Bonnie ensured that all the student-athletes that came through the program were truly part of the AU volleyball family. I can think of no one who is more deserving of this tremendous honor than Coach Barry Goldberg."
During his 34-year tenure, Goldberg built American into a volleyball powerhouse, leading his program to 18 NCAA Tournaments, 16 as a member of the Patriot League, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in 2013 and the second round in 2015. The Eagles are the only Patriot League volleyball program to have won a match in the NCAA Tournament.
He compiled 812 wins, which ranked fourth among active DI coaches at the conclusion of the 2022 season. He was a 10-time coach of the year, including seven Patriot League accolades.
Goldberg passed away in March at the age of 61 after battling cancer.
Within the national volleyball community, Goldberg was a fixture and worked with several prestigious camps and committees. His impact on volleyball in the DC area is legendary, including 15 years as Director of the Metro American Volleyball Club, and with his wife Bonnie, founded the hugely successful annual Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic, which began in 2007.
Goldberg graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication and rhetoric from the University of Pittsburgh in 1984. While pursuing his master's in counseling education, he was an assistant coach for the Pitt women's varsity team.
Goldberg joins six former Patriot League coaches to be recognized with an award in their name. The baseball coach of the year is named for Bucknell's Gene Depew, the men's diving coach of the year is named for Navy's Joe Suriano, the football coach of the year is named for Colgate's Dick Biddle, the men's lacrosse coach of the year is named for Lafayette's Bill Lawson, the men's tennis most valuable player is named for Colgate's Joe Abrahamson and the women's tennis most valuable player is named for Fordham's John "Pat" Rooney.
ABOUT THE BARRY GOLDBERG VOLLEYBALL COACH OF THE YEAR
Statement from the Goldberg Family on the honor…
"It warms our hearts to see the Patriot League honoring Barry by planning to name the Coach of the Year award after him. We know that his impact will continue to inspire and uplift future athletes and coaches, carrying his unwavering passion and dedication forward for generations to come. In our home, he was the coach of the year every year."
Statement from the Army West Point Volleyball Coach Alma Kovaci Lee…
"It is hard to accept that Barry Goldberg is no longer with us. He meant so much to so many. Barry was a coach that through the sport of volleyball taught his athletes how to win in life. He did so with compassion, grace, and his signature laugh. Bonnie and Barry were family to all his players throughout the years. I will miss him at games, I will miss his excitement when he spoke about his grandchildren, I will miss him in coaches' meetings where he always brought all of us down to earth with his philosophy of not complicating things. Barry was a transformational coach; an incredible man and his legacy will live on forever. I will miss my friend, my colleague and the first college coach that through his phone calls at a young age of 17, inspired me to come to America. Rest easy my friend."
