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Many volleyball enthusiasts credit Olympic medalist, Mike Dodd ("M.D.") with making volleyball a popular sport today. After starting his career at the early age of 10, Mike became the youngest player at the time – at just 16 years old – to receive the "AAA" rating for his beach game. After high school, Mike continued to impress the volleyball world when he went on to play for the Aztecs at San Diego State University from 1975-1980.
After college, Dodd earned his first career victory at the 1981 State Beach Event with long time partner Tim Hovland. This win would be one of many. Dodd continued to dominate the volleyball world, winning one U.S. Championship ('89) and an astounding four World Championships ('83,'85-'87) over the course of ten years. Not only a master on the sand, Mike boasts an impressive indoor record.
Dodd played three years of indoor volleyball on the U.S. National Team ('81,'82,'85) and four seasons in the Italian Professional Indoor A-1 League ('82,'83,'84,'86). Mike eventually reached the pinnacle of his career when he won a Silver Medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. His impressive play from 1980 to 1997 earned him at least one open victory a year for 17 straight years and a total of 75 career first place finishes. Mike made the transition from court to booth as an Olympic volleyball broadcaster during the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens games.
In 2006 Mike continued his volleyball success as coach for Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal who went on to lead the U.S. Team in Olympic qualifying points.
Today Mike lives in Manhattan Beach with his wife of 20 years, former WPVA pro Patty Orozco Dodd and his two daughters Dalas (13) and Dominique (9). He's a real estate investor, a restaurateur, speaks Spanish and Italian fluently and enjoys playing golf.
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| BACK TO MAIN |
| PLAYERS |
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| Birthdate |
August 20, 1957 |
| Hometown |
Manhattan Beach, CA |
| Resides |
Manhattan Beach, CA |
| Height |
6'4" |
| College |
San Diego State |
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| Total # of Wins |
75 |
| Domestic |
72 |
| International |
3 |
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