With heavy hearts, we, the family of Barry Goldberg, announce the passing of our husband, father, and grandfather on March 26, 2023. Barry was a legendary volleyball coach at American University, where he spent his time dedicated to the people, sport, and the community he so deeply loved.
Born on February 21, 1962 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Barry embarked on his coaching journey in 1987, and through his passion and dedication, he became a leading figure in the world of volleyball. During his tenure at American University, the women's volleyball team experienced unprecedented success, including multiple conference championships and numerous NCAA Tournament appearances. Barry's more than 800 career victories are a testament to his remarkable impact on the sport.
Barry was not only a great coach but also a compassionate mentor who emphasized the importance of teamwork, discipline, and resilience in both athletic and academic pursuits. His unwavering commitment to the success of his players earned him the admiration of the American University community and the larger volleyball world.
Beyond his work at American University, Barry and his wife Bonnie started the Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in 2007. The tournament attracts more that 40,000 people to the city of Washington, D.C. annually and has become one of the largest citywide events in the DC area.
Barry was an active member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), where he contributed his knowledge and expertise to advancing the sport on a national level. He was inducted into the American University Hall of Fame in 2019.
As we mourn the loss of our dear Barry, we find solace in the knowledge that his legacy will continue to inspire generations of athletes and coaches, and that his impact on the sport of volleyball will be long-lasting. We are grateful for the love and support we have received during this difficult time and encourage those who knew Barry to share their memories and stories with us.
We will be holding a funeral open to all who wish to attend on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at the Garden of Remembrance in Clarksburg, Maryland at 3:30 pm. The family will be sitting shiva at their home at 26801 Dix Street Damascus, MD 20872. We will accept visitors on the days following the funeral from 4pm -7pm through Sunday, April 1st.
We will be holding a memorial service to celebrate Barry's incredible life and career, inviting friends, family, colleagues, and former players to come together and share their memories of him. The details of the memorial will be announced at a later date.
Barry is survived by his wife Bonnie, brother Jeff, sister Linda, daughter Arielle (Matt), son Jared (Aryn), son Mitchell, as well as his 5 grandchildren Rylie, Hallie, Silas, Simeon and Samson.
