Kim Oden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kimberley Oden |
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Kimberley Yvette Oden May 6, 1964 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 2 in (189 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College(s) | Stanford University | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volleyball information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Middle blocker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 4 (national team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Kimberley Yvette "Kim" Oden, born on May 6, 1964, is a famous former volleyball player. She was part of the United States women's national volleyball team and even competed in the Olympic Games twice!
Contents
Kimberley Oden's College Volleyball Career
Kim Oden was an amazing volleyball player at Stanford University. She was chosen as an All-American player three times. This means she was one of the best college players in the country!
In 1985, Kim was named the AVCA Player of the Year. She also won the Honda-Broderick Award, which is given to the top female college athlete in the U.S.
Kim graduated from Stanford in 1986 with a degree in public policy. After college, she joined the United States national volleyball team. In 1995, Kim was honored by being added to the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame.
Playing for the National Team and Olympics
Kim Oden was a very important player for the U.S. national team. She was even chosen as the team captain for the Olympic Games in both 1988 and 1992.
At the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Kim was recognized as the "best hitter." This means she had the highest hitting percentage during the games. Four years later, she helped her team win a bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
Kim also helped the national team win a bronze medal at the 1987 Pan American Games. She played in the 1990 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship and won another bronze medal. At this championship, she was named the "best blocker" for her excellent defense. She also competed in the 1994 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship.
Kimberley Oden's Coaching Role
After her playing career, Kim Oden became a volleyball coach. She was the head coach at Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, California. During her four years there, her team won 100 games and only lost 34!
Kimberley Oden's Family and Life Today
Kim Oden grew up in Irvine, California. Now, she lives in Palo Alto. What's really cool is that her sisters, Elaina and Beverly, are also Olympians! They both played on the national volleyball team too.
Today, Kim Oden works as a high school guidance counselor. She helps students with their school and future plans.
Awards and Achievements
Kim Oden received many awards during her amazing volleyball career:
- Three-time All-American player.
- Two-time National Player of the Year (1984, 1985).
- Won the Honda-Broderick Award in 1985.
- Three-time Pac-10 Player of the Year (1983, 1984, 1985).
- Earned a bronze medal at the Pan American Games in 1987.
- Named Player of the Decade for the 1980s by the AVCA in 1990.
- Won a bronze medal at the FIVB World Championship in 1990.
- Recognized as the "Best Blocker" at the FIVB World Championship in 1990.
- Holds the Stanford record for most blocks in a single match (16).
- Won an Olympic bronze medal in 1992.
- Earned a silver medal at the Goodwill Games in 1994.
- Named MVP of the National Four-Women Pro-Beach Tour in 1995.
- Inducted into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995.
