Debbie Brown
Volleyball – 1980

Brown’s Notre Dame Bio

Co-captain of the 1980 United States Olympic volleyball team ? co-captained the team to a fifth-place finish at the 1978 World Championships ? one year later, Brown and her teammates – including all-time greats Debbie Green, Flo Hyman, Rita Crockett and Woodstra – qualified for the Olympics in Moscow and were considered serious medal contenders before the United States elected to boycott the games ? Brown’s international experience and travels has afforded her the opportunity to coach and play in 22 countries across the world ? in honor of her work, Brown was selected as an Olympic Torchbearer for the 2002 Winter Olympic Torch Relay when it traveled through the Northern Indiana area ? in May of 1995, USA Volleyball named Brown an “All-Time Great Volleyball Player,” the highest honor given by the organization ? Brown and fellow honoree Karch Kiraly, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and beach volleyball legend, were recognized at the U.S. Open Championships in Springfield, Mass., and had their photos and records added to the Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke, Mass ? established in 1954, the “All-Time Great” designation honors players with Olympic, national team or All-America honors, U.S. Open Championships, and overall dominance during a particular era ? among the 51 previous winners before Brown were Hyman, Woodstra, Green, Crockett, and Laurel Brassey – all former teammates.