Paula Weishoff
Three-time U.S. Olympian and Hall of Fame middle blocker.
Paula Jo Weishoff (born May 1, 1962) is a former American volleyball player who competed in three Olympic Games as a member of the United States women's national team. Playing as a middle blocker, she earned a silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and a bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Games, where she was also recognized as the tournament's most outstanding player. She later appeared at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Representing the U.S., she also took home a silver from the 1983 Pan American Games and a silver from the 1986 Goodwill Games. In 1998, she was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Weishoff attended West High School in Torrance, California, and played one season of college volleyball at the University of Southern California in 1980, helping her team win the NCAA Championship and earning All-American honors.
After retiring from playing, she moved into coaching. She served as head coach for the women's volleyball teams at Concordia University and later at the University of California, Irvine. She was also an assistant coach under Hugh McCutcheon for the U.S. women's national team at the 2012 London Olympics, alongside Karch Kiraly.
Weishoff stands 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters) tall. She was married to Karl Hanold.
Quick Facts
- Birth Name
- Paula Jo Weishoff
- Birth Date
- May 1, 1962
- Birth Place
- Hollywood, California, U.S.
- Weight
- 165 lbs
- College
- University of Southern California
- Position
- Middle blocker
- Teamnumber
- 1 (1984) / 6 (1992) / 3 (1996)
- Nationalyears
- 1981–1996
- Nationalteam
- USA
- Medaltemplates-Title
- Medal record
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Weishoff began her volleyball career after graduating from West High School in Torrance, California, in 1980. She played one season at the University of Southern California, helping her team win the NCAA Championship and earning All-American honors. Her international career included a silver medal at the 1983 Pan American Games, a silver medal at the 1986 Goodwill Games, and gold medals at the 1981 and 1983 NORCECA tournaments, as well as a silver at the 1991 NORCECA Championships.
Reader's Guide
Paula Weishoff's significance lies in her sustained excellence across three Olympic Games, earning both a silver and a bronze medal. Her recognition as the outstanding player of the 1992 Barcelona tournament underscores her individual impact. After retiring as a player, she transitioned into coaching, serving as head coach at Concordia University and the University of California, Irvine, and later as an assistant coach for the U.S. women's national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics under head coach Hugh McCutcheon. Her induction into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1998 cements her legacy as one of the prominent figures in American volleyball.
Did You Know?
- Weishoff was named the outstanding player of the 1992 Summer Olympics volleyball tournament.
- She won an NCAA Championship with the University of Southern California in her only college season.
- She is 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) tall.
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