Bob Samuelson

For the business and economics columnist for the Washington Post and Newsweek, see Robert J. Samuelson.

Robert Lewis Samuelson (born July 30, 1966)^[1] is an American former volleyball player. Samuelson won a bronze medal with the United States national team in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.^[2][3]

Bob Samuelson
Personal information
Born	Robert Lewis Samuelson July 30, 1973 (1973-07-30) (age 51) Port Jefferson, New York, U.S.
Height	6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
College / University	California State University, Northridge
Volleyball information
Position	Outside hitter
Number	9 (national team)
Career
Years Teams 1994–1997 Suntory Sunbirds
National team
1989–1994  United States
Medal record Men's volleyball Representing  United States Olympic Games 1992 Barcelona Indoor World Championship 1994 Greece Indoor FIVB World Cup 1991 Japan

At the Barcelona Olympics, Samuelson was the central character in the controversial preliminary round match against Japan in which the United States won until the result was overturned on appeal.^[4] A jury set up by the International Volleyball Federation ruled that by Samuelson having received his second yellow card, a red card and an automatic point to Japan should have been given, thus giving Japan the point they needed to win the match.^[4] The entire United States men's team then shaved their heads in solidarity with Samuelson.^[4]

College

After finishing high school at Westchester High School in Westchester, Los Angeles, Samuelson played volleyball for Los Angeles Pierce College, leading the team to the state title in 1986.^[5] He was also selected as California's junior college player of the year.^[5]

Samuelson then played college volleyball at Cal State Northridge (CSUN), where he was a two-time All-American.^[6] He set the school record with 44 kills in a match against George Mason in 1989.^[7]

Samuelson was inducted into the CSUN Hall of Fame in 1994.^[6]

Japanese V.League

Samuelson left the national team to compete for the Suntory Sunbirds of the Japanese V.League in 1994, where he played for three seasons.^[1] Samuelson led the team to the championship in his first season, and was named the league's Most Valuable Player.^[1]

Beach volleyball

Samuelson briefly played beach volleyball in 1994, and then again between 2004 and 2006.^[8]

Personal life

Samuelson is a father of triplet boys.^[8]

Awards

• Two-time NCAA All-American
• FIVB World Cup bronze medal — 1991
• Olympic bronze medal — 1992
• FIVB World Championship bronze medal — 1994
• CSUN Hall of fame — 1994
• Japan V.League Champion — 1995
• Japan V.League MVP — 1995