UMBC

The UMBC community mourns the passing of Greg Giovanazzi, who served as the Retrievers’ head volleyball coach from 2003-04.

Mr. Giovanazzi, 54, died Monday after suffering a seizure at his Maryland residence.

He served as UMBC’s head mentor after one year as a volunteer assistant coach with the Retrievers in 2002, but left after the 2004 season due to health concerns.  

“I got to know Greg very well during his time at UMBC. Not only was he an outstanding volleyball coach, but he was truly a wonderful human being,” Director of Athletics Dr. Charles Brown said. “He was great with his family, our student-athletes and staff and possessed a profound sensitivity towards making society a better place for everyone.  We are all terribly saddened by his passing.”

The former UCLA standout won national championships with the Bruins as a player (1976) and as an assistant coach of both the men’s and women’s squads. He also earned a bronze medal as an assistant coach with the USA women’s volleyball squad at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

The Culver City, Calif. native also served as head coach for the Michigan women’s volleyball squad and Johns Hopkins’ women’s team.

For more information, please visit www.uclabruins.com.