Rudy Suwara

Rudolph "Rudy" Suwara (born November 19, 1941) is an American former volleyball player who competed with the United States men's national volleyball team at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.^[1] Suwara won a gold medal with the national team at the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg.^[2] He captained the United States team in the early 1970s.^[3] Suwara was nicknamed "Tasmanian Devil".^[1]

Rudy Suwara
Personal information
Full name	Rudolph Suwara
Nickname	Tasmanian Devil
Born	(1941-11-19) November 19, 1941 (age 83) New York City, New York, U.S.
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	200 lb (91 kg)
Volleyball information
Position	Outside hitter
Number	11
National team
1964–1972  United States
Medal record Men's volleyball Representing the  United States Pan American Games 1967 Winnipeg Team 1971 Cali Team

Coaching

Suwara coached the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) men's team from 1971 to 1974. In 1974, UCSB finished second in the NCAA National Championship and won the USVBA Collegiate and Open Division National Championships.

Suwara then coached the San Diego State University (SDSU) women's team from 1976 to 1991, compiling a record of 431–204–3.^[2]

In 2012, Suwara was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame.^[2]

Personal life

Suwara grew up in Spanish Harlem. His brother, Ernie Suwara, played for the United States men's volleyball team at the 1964 Summer Olympics.^[4]