Men’s volleyball: UCI hires Speraw

CRAWFORD HALL - John Speraw, an assistant coach the last four

seasons at UCLA, has been named men’s volleyball coach at UC Irvine.

Speraw, who played on national championship teams at UCLA in 1993 and

‘95, was an assistant to legendary Coach Al Scates when the Bruins

claimed the NCAA title in 2000.

Speraw is coaching the USA junior national team this summer and was an

assistant with the national youth team (a step below the junior national

team) in 1998 and 2000. He coached the American entry in the World

University Games in 1997 and ‘99, as well as the U.S. entry in the Pan

American Games in ’99.

Speraw replaces Charlie Brande, which will concentrate solely on the

Anteater women’s volleyball program.

“There aren’t that many opportunities to become a head men’s

collegiate volleyball coach, so I am thrilled to have the chance at UC

Irvine,” Speraw said. “UCI is a great university with its academic and

athletic opportunities, which offers me numerous possibilities in

recruiting. Charlie Brande built a good base with the UCI program and

with what I have learned from Al Scates, I am confident in the ability to

have a strong program here.”

Speraw played middle blocker at UCLA from 1990-95. He was named to the

NCAA All-Tournament team in ‘95, when he collected 11 kills and eight

blocks in the championship victory over Penn State.

He became a volunteer assistant at UCLA, before advancing to full-time

assistant in 1998. He graduated from UCLA in 1995 with a bachelor of

science in microbiology and molecular genetics.