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Michael BrightBorn: November 3, 1937, Grants Pass, Oregon, USA
Died: September 22, 2017 Enshrined: 1993 Country: United States Category: Male Indoor Player |
BIOGRAPHY
Mike Bright was a dominant force in volleyball during the 1960's and early '70s.
In 1960, Mike played in his first national tournament, playing with the Hollywood YMCA. During the next 13 years, he led his team to eight championships and three runner-up finishes. Named an All-American nine times in that period, Mike was awarded the USVBA's "All-time Great Player" Award in 1983.
Internationally, Bright was a member of the 1960 U.S. National Team, which played in the World championships in Brazil, and won a Silver Medal at the 1963 Pan American Games.
When volleyball became an Olympic sport in 1964, Mike again represented the United States, in Tokyo. He was also a member of the 1968 Olympic team in Mexico City and the 1972 U.S. Qualifying Team.
Mike's volleyball achievements were not kept indoors; he was the top-ranked player on the "beach", having won the prestigious Manhattan Beach Doubles Open Tournament five years in a row.
Mike's athletic achievements arc not confined to volleyball. An accomplished basketball player, Mike was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame at El Camino College after an All-American career at Mira Costa High School.
After leaving El Camino, Mike answered the call of the sea, traveling to paddleboard competitions around the globe. In 1956, he went to the Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, and competed in paddling and surfing, both exhibition sports for that year. In 1956 and 1957, he was the international paddleboard champion.
Mike is married to Patti Bright, also a gifted volleyball player.
In 1960, Mike played in his first national tournament, playing with the Hollywood YMCA. During the next 13 years, he led his team to eight championships and three runner-up finishes. Named an All-American nine times in that period, Mike was awarded the USVBA's "All-time Great Player" Award in 1983.
Internationally, Bright was a member of the 1960 U.S. National Team, which played in the World championships in Brazil, and won a Silver Medal at the 1963 Pan American Games.
When volleyball became an Olympic sport in 1964, Mike again represented the United States, in Tokyo. He was also a member of the 1968 Olympic team in Mexico City and the 1972 U.S. Qualifying Team.
Mike's volleyball achievements were not kept indoors; he was the top-ranked player on the "beach", having won the prestigious Manhattan Beach Doubles Open Tournament five years in a row.
Mike's athletic achievements arc not confined to volleyball. An accomplished basketball player, Mike was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame at El Camino College after an All-American career at Mira Costa High School.
After leaving El Camino, Mike answered the call of the sea, traveling to paddleboard competitions around the globe. In 1956, he went to the Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, and competed in paddling and surfing, both exhibition sports for that year. In 1956 and 1957, he was the international paddleboard champion.
Mike is married to Patti Bright, also a gifted volleyball player.
