Rita Louise Crockett (born November 2, 1957)[1] is an American former volleyball player who played for the United States women's national volleyball team. Crockett was a silver medalist at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.[2][3] She also won a bronze medal at the 1982 FIVB World Championship in Peru and a silver medal at the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas.[3]
| Rita Crockett | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Rita Louise Crockett (-Buck) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname | The Rocket | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Rita Louise Crockett November 2, 1957 (age 67) San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 141 lb (64 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volleyball information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Outside hitter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Though Crockett is only 5'9" (1.75 m), she was able to dunk a basketball on a 10' rim. This exceptional vertical jump gave her a competitive advantage against taller players on the volleyball court, and it was why she was given the nickname "The Rocket".[4]
In 2011, Crockett was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.[4]
College
editCrockett played college volleyball with the Houston Cougars, and was an AIAW All-American in 1977.[3]
Crockett was inducted into the University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor in 2008.[5]
Club volleyball
editInternationally, Crockett played in Japan, Switzerland, and Italy over 16 years.[3] She was a teammate of fellow Olympian Flo Hyman with Daiei in the Japanese V.League,[6] and led her team to a championship title in 1986.[3] In 1991, she was MVP of the Italian Women's Volleyball League with Matera, and helped Rome win the European Club Championship in 1993.[3]
Beach volleyball
editBetween 1989 and 1994, Crockett played professional beach volleyball, winning $90,000 in prizes.[7] In 1989, she won the World Beach Volleyball Championship of the Women's Professional Volleyball Association with Jackie Silva as her partner.[7] She was selected as the AVP Sportswoman of the Year in 1993 and 1994.[7]
Coaching
editCrockett was the executive director, president, and head coach of the North Florida Volleyball Association, and is now the head coach of indoor and beach volleyball at Florida International University.[1][8]
Crockett is known professionally by her married name, Rita Buck-Crockett.[1][8]
Awards
edit- AIAW All-American — 1977
- FIVB World Championship bronze medal — 1982
- Pan American Games silver medal — 1983
- Olympic silver medal — 1984
- Japan V.League Champion — 1986
- World Beach Volleyball Champion — 1989
- Italian Women's Volleyball League MVP — 1991
- European Club Champion — 1993
- Two-time AVP Sportswoman of the Year — 1993, 1994
- University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor — 2008
- International Volleyball Hall of Fame — 2011
References
edit- ^ a b c "Rita Crockett". Olympedia. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- ^ Vecsey, George (August 8, 1984). "Triumph and Defeat for American Women; Volleyball; China Ends U.S. Quest". The New York Times. p. A15. Retrieved September 5, 2024. (subscription required)
- ^ a b c d e f "Rita Crockett". International Volleyball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- ^ a b Remillard, Jason (October 26, 2011). "Volleyball Hall of Fame inductee Rita Crockett shares her story with Dean Tech students". The Republican. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
- ^ "Rita Crockett". University of Houston Athletics. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ Crowe, Jerry (January 25, 1986). "U.S. Olympic Volleyball Star Dies in Match : Flo Hyman, 31, Collapses While Competing in Japan". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 26, 2024. (subscription required)
- ^ a b c "Rita Crockett Royster". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ a b "Rita Buck-Crockett" (PDF). American Volleyball Coaches Association. June 28, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 25, 2022.
