Eric Sato

Eric Sato
Personal information
Full nameEric Anthony Sato
BornMay 5, 1966 (1966-05-05) (age 60)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
College / UniversityPepperdine University
Volleyball information
PositionDefensive specialist
Number11 (1988)
14 (1992)
National team
1986–1994 United States
Medal record
Men's volleyball
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place1988 SeoulIndoor
Bronze medal – third place1992 BarcelonaIndoor
World Championship
Gold medal – first place1986 FranceIndoor
Bronze medal – third place1994 GreeceIndoor
FIVB World Cup
Bronze medal – third place1991 Japan{{{2}}}
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place1987 IndianapolisIndoor

Eric Anthony Sato (born May 5, 1966) is an American former volleyball player and two-time Olympian. Sato was a member of the United States national volleyball team that won the gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.[1] He also played in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and won a bronze medal.[1] He was a defensive specialist, and was widely considered to be the best defensive player in the world.[1][2] After the Olympics, he played professional beach volleyball.[1]

Though 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) in height, Sato's 41 in (1.0 m) vertical jump allowed him to be an effective spiker for the national team, including from the back row.[3]

College

Sato played college volleyball at Pepperdine University.[1]

Personal life

Sato's sister Liane played volleyball with the United States women's national team in both the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics, capturing a bronze medal in 1992.[4][5][6] For the Sato family, a capstone was the 1988 Olympics, when Eric and Liane were both competing, and their brother Gary was a coach on the men's volleyball team.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Eric Sato". Olympedia. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  2. ↑ Yost, Heather (1999). "The libero rules". NCAA. Archived from the original on July 24, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  3. ↑ Hazeltine, Rick (July 30, 1988). "Sato Helps U.S. Complete Sweep of Sweden". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 6, 2024. (subscription required)
  4. 1 2 Chan, Ed (October 2, 2020). "Family matriarch Elissa Sato leaves behind an incredible volleyball legacy". Volleyball Magazine. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  5. ↑ Drooz, Alan (May 28, 1992). "Olympic Hopes Still Flourish for Volleyball Veteran Sato". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 27, 2023. (subscription required)
  6. ↑ "Ex-SDSU Standout on Women's Team". Los Angeles Times. June 26, 1992. Retrieved June 27, 2023. (subscription required)
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