July 9, 2003
DAVIS, Calif. -
Gary Colberg, Director of Intramural Sports and Club Sports at UC Davis since 1966, was recently honored by USA Volleyball with the prestigious Dr. Harold T. Friermood "Frier" Award, given to an individual who has made longtime significant contributions to volleyball.
Colberg, a member of the United States Volleyball Association (USVBA) Board of Directors since 1978, has made extensive contributions to the sport as both an official and administrator.
"I am flattered and honored to be included in the select company of so many other past Frier awardees," said Colberg. "The list reads like a 'who's who' in the volleyball circles and while I wonder how I made it into this group, I am grateful for the recognition that the award stands for."
A volleyball enthusiast for nearly 40 years, Colberg's contributions are numerous. He served as an official during the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles and was later the Coordinator of Volleyball Officials at the Atlantic Olympic Games in 1996. He was also first referee at the NCAA Division I Championship match in 1984 between UCLA and Stanford and became an international referee in 1980. A regionally certified referee since 1970, Colberg received the Glen G. Davis Referees Award from USA Volleyball in 1992.
His contributions have extended to the collegiate arena as well. In 1985, he founded the a national championship tournament for collegiate club teams - now administered by the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association - and is still Director of Competition for the popular event. Colberg also established the USVBA Junior Olympic Championship in 1980 and a year later was named Special Events Director for the USVBA, organizing 30 international and domestic tours for the USA men's and women's national teams.
Colberg has also helped volleyball grow on the local high school level in Sacramento, establishing the Boys High School Club Volleyball League in 1985. More than 50 area schools now sponsor the sport.
Besides the Frier Award, Colberg has also been honored by the USVBA with the "Leader in Volleyball Award in 1987, give for outstanding contributions to the sport. His contributions as an official, administrator and proponent of volleyball have been numerous and he continues today in several roles in each area.
"At no time did I get engaged in this sport for personal gain, but rather to assist in its development and create opportunities for greater participation," he said. "This is not the end of the line for me, but rather a stimulus to give more to the sport as I enter into my golden years."
Colberg, who was a member of two University of Minnesota football teams that played in the Rose Bowl, is married to Debby Colberg, head women's volleyball coach at Sacramento State. They live with their son, Casey, in Davis.
