Gregory M. Giovanazzi

Greg was born November 30, 1957. He was known for his greatest passions: family, friends and volleyball. Greg was a member of the 1976 NCAA National Champion UCLA Volleyball team and spent several years traveling internationally playing professional volleyball. Though he loved to play volleyball, his greatest impact on the sport came through coaching. Greg spent 30 years inspiring young adults, primarily women, to love and understand volleyball. He was on the coaching staff for the UCLA National Championship teams for 1977, 1978, and 1984, as well as the 1992 US Women’s Olympic Team. He served on the coaching staffs for UCLA, University of Michigan, UMBC, and Johns Hopkins.

In addition, Greg has coached the nationally known 2011 Columbia Volleyball Club Comets team, where most of the young women have gone on to play collegiate volleyball. Greg’s most rewarding role was coaching his daughter, Casey, in club volleyball, who is finishing up her first year at the University of North Florida. Greg was “Coach” when they were on the court; off the court he was “Dad” who gave her loving support and encouragement. They had an amazing way of never blurring the line and making this relationship work.

Greg’s love for his wife, Deb, spanned 23 years of marriage. He is survived by his wife, daughter Casey, son George, brother Gary of Pismo Beach, CA, as well as extended family and many friends across the country.

Greg’s life has been a path focused on influencing and helping young adults reach their full potential. His “Life is Good” Celebration will take place at 12 pm (noon) at Towson University in the West Village Commons Ballroom - parking is available in the West Village Parking Garage (corner of Emerson and Towson Town BLVD). The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Greg’s memory to one of the following: the Boston University School of Medicine CSTE (Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy) to support research for athletes who sustain head injuries during their sports career or Towson University’s Student Leadership Initiatives to support the development of college student’s leadership potential.

Donations can be sent to:

Boston University CSTE at 72 East Concord St, Suite L219; Boston, MA 02118 or online at www.bu.edu/supportingbusm .

Student Leadership Initiatives fund in care of the Towson University Foundation, P.O. Box 17165, Baltimore, MD 21297-0219 or online at www.towson.edu/supporttu.