USA Volleyball mourns the loss of Tom Ashen

by Paul Soriano Manager, Public Relations & Publications

Tom Ashen, a former member of the U.S. National Volleyball Team and volleyball competition director at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, was laid to rest Friday, May 3, in Aliso Viejo, Calif., after succumbing to cancer.

Ashen, 52, died on April 25 after a year-long fight with liver cancer. A member of the National Team from 1973-76, he also played professionally in Italy. He was a key staff member for both the indoor and beach volleyball competitions at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

"It is with a great sense of loss that we mourn the passing of Tom Ashen," said Kerry Klostermann, Executive Director of USA Volleyball. "Tom's achievements in the sport, from National Team athlete in the 1970s to his deep involvement with the Olympics beginning in 1984 and continuing through 1996, were only the highlights that stood out among his many significant and lasting contributions. More importantly, he was the kind of quality person that made us all better for knowing him."

He coached the Laguna Beach Volleyball Club from 1978-82, and since 1997 Ashen founded and coached 12 teams at the South Coast YMCA in Laguna Nigel.

"Tom's contributions, from the Olympic level down to the kids, will be part of his legacy," said John Kessel, USA Volleyball's Director of Coaching Education, Disabled, Grassroots and Beach Volleyball programs. "The volleyball family has lost a good friend of our lifetime sport."

He is survived by his wife, Monette; three daughters, Coral, Marinna and Shellsy; two brothers, Bill and John; and one sister, Marie Strom. Donations for the girls' trust may be sent to "Faithful Friends of Tom Ashen" c/o Sun Country Bank, 30100 Town Center Drive, Suite Q, Laguna Nigel, Calif., 92677.

For more information, go to the USA Volleyball website.