Honorees

Bob Ctvrtlik

Inducted as a Player 2007

In an era when increasingly the game was dominated by powerful players with great jump serves, outstanding hitters and huge blockers at the net, Ctvrtlik carved out his place by being perhaps one of the best master technicians of the game and a great passer and defender. At one point he was acknowledged as the most outstanding server receiver in the world. He was playing with Karch Kiraly at the time, so it was quite an honor and credit to his abilities.

Ctvrtlik was one of those athletes who reached as close to his full potential as any athlete could. He simply outworked everybody in the gym and figured out a way on the court to not only be a winner, but to make the players around him better in every team environment he was ever involved in.

Ctvrtlik, a three-time Olympian for the U.S. Men's Indoor National Team, was instrumental in propelling the Americans past the Soviet team to capture a Gold Medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. He later captained the 1992 U.S. team that took the bronze at the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona.

After Barcelona, Ctvrtlik went to Europe to play in the Italian professional league, but returned to captain the U.S. Men’s Team as it prepared for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He is credited with spearheading the improvement in the team's world ranking from 15th to fourth within 10 months of his return.

Ctvrtlik was awarded "Best Player in the World" in 1995; however his U.S. team finished out of medal contention at the Atlanta Olympics.

He is currently the Vice President, International of the United States Olympic Committee.