Legendary volleyball coach Barry Goldberg, who devoted 34 years to the athletes, sport, and AU community he loved so much, died on March 26 after a 13-month battle with Stage 4 cancer. He was 61.
One of the winningest coaches in NCAA volleyball history, the Pittsburgh native notched 812 career victories—more than all but three active Division I coaches. Goldberg led the Eagles to 18 Patriot League championships and earned conference Coach of the Year honors 10 times. His record against Patriot League opponents was 284–35.
“Barry was a legend, not only because of what he accomplished on the court, but because he had such a profound impact on the AU community,” President Sylvia Burwell says. “We remember the many ways he set the standard for the things we hold most dear: supporting our students and leading with integrity and excellence. His tremendous heart, determination, and commitment will never be forgotten.”
Goldberg is etched in the record books—but soon that won’t be the only place Eagle fans can see his name. The forthcoming Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance will feature the Barry Goldberg Court, thanks to a $3 million gift from longtime trustee Jack Cassell, SOC/BA ’77, and his wife, Denise, as part of the Change Can’t Wait campaign.
“When I began this volleyball journey at American University in 1989, I never dreamed I would experience something like this,” Goldberg said on February 18, during the annual Stafford H. “Pop” Cassell Hall of Fame induction ceremony. “History will tell a wonderful story of the AU volleyball program thanks to dedicated student-athletes and coaches that believed we could build something special here.”
Following the news of his death there was an outpouring of condolences on social media from those who crossed paths with Goldberg: colleagues and competitors, players and pep band members, high school teammates and college roommates. All of them recalled his kindness and grace and—even more than his winning record—his winning attitude.
“He embodied the word joy and every day in his program, he reminded us that it was a beautiful day,” said Cynammon Burns Allen, SOC/BA ’10, a member of the team that brought three consecutive Patriot League championships home to AU, from 2006 to 2008.
“I met Barry when he was recruiting my daughter,” Robert Cremin wrote on Instagram. “She ultimately decided to play at a league rival, [but] every time the teams played against one another, Barry made it a point to speak with me, no matter the outcome of the match. [He] also helped my daughter find people to play with during the summers when she was interning in DC. I don’t know that there are many coaches at any level that would assist a player from a rival team the way Barry did. He was truly a great coach and, more importantly, a great person.”
Goldberg is survived by his wife, Bonnie, their three children, and five grandchildren.