Todd Rogers facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the beach volleyball player. For the video game competitor, see Todd Rogers (gamer). For the American behavioral scientist, see Todd Rogers (behavioral scientist).

Quick facts for kids

Todd Rogers

Rogers in 2007

Personal information

Full name

Todd Jonathan Rogers

Nickname

The Professor

Born

September 30, 1973 (age 51)
Santa Barbara, California, U.S.

Hometown

Santa Barbara, California, U.S.

Height

6 ft 2 in (188 cm)

Weight

90 kg (198 lb)

College(s)

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos

Beach volleyball information

Current teammate

Years	Teammate
2013–	Theo Brunner

Previous teammates

Years	Teammate
1996–2001 2001–2005 2006–2012 2013	Dax Holdren Sean Scott Phil Dalhausser Ryan Doherty

Medal record

Men's beach volleyball

Representing the United States
Olympic Games
Gold	2008 Beijing	Beach
World Championships
Gold	2007 Gstaad	Beach
Bronze	2009 Stavanger	Beach
World Tour
Gold	2006 Austria	Beach
Gold	2008 Paris	Beach
Gold	2008 Stavanger	Beach
Gold	2008 Moscow	Beach
Gold	2009 Marseille	Beach
Gold	2009 Klagenfurt	Beach
Gold	2010 Brasília	Beach
Gold	2010 Rome	Beach
Gold	2010 Myslowice	Beach
Gold	2010 Patria	Beach
Gold	2010 Gstaad	Beach
Gold	2010 Klagenfurt	Beach
Gold	2010 Stare Jabłonki	Beach
Gold	2010 Otera	Beach
Gold	2010 PAF	Beach
Gold	2011 Brasília	Beach
Gold	2011 Shanghai	Beach
Gold	2011 Québec	Beach
Gold	2011 Stare Jabłonki	Beach
Gold	2012 Brasilia	Beach
Gold	2012 Shanghai	Beach
Silver	2006 Croatia	Beach
Silver	2007 Brazil	Beach
Silver	2008 Berlin	Beach
Silver	2010 Moscow	Beach
Silver	2011 Prague	Beach
Silver	2011 Gstaad	Beach
Silver	2011 PAF	Beach
Bronze	2006 Mexico	Beach
Bronze	2007 Berlin	Beach
Bronze	2008 Adelaide	Beach
Bronze	2008 Italian	Beach
Bronze	2010 Stavanger	Beach
Bronze	2011 Moscow	Beach
Bronze	2011 Klagenfurt	Beach
Bronze	2012 Prague	Beach
Bronze	2012 Stare Jabłonki	Beach
Bronze	2014 Long Beach	Beach

Last updated: October 5, 2014

Todd Jonathan Rogers, born on September 30, 1973, is a famous American professional beach volleyball player. He won a gold medal at the Olympics and also at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship. From 2007 to 2011, he and his former partner, Phil Dalhausser, were champions of the AVP Tour.

In October 2021, Todd Rogers was honored by being added to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. He joined other great players like Logan Tom and Clay Stanley.

Todd Rogers' Early Life and School

Todd Rogers was born in Santa Barbara, California. His parents are David and Heidi Rogers, and he has a brother named Dean. Todd went to San Marcos High School from 1987 to 1991. There, he played indoor volleyball for coach Jon Lee.

High School Sports Achievements

In 1990, Todd and his teammate Dax Holdren helped their team win a league championship. The next year, Todd led his team to win the CIF Southern Section Boys' Volleyball Championship. Besides volleyball, Todd also played soccer during his time at San Marcos High School.

College Volleyball Career

After high school, Todd Rogers went to the University of California, Santa Barbara. He played for the men's volleyball team from 1993 to 1996. He was named a Second Team All-American twice by the American Volleyball Coaches Association in 1995 and 1996. Todd set a school record for career digs (783), which means he saved the ball from hitting the ground many times. He also had the second-highest number of assists (4,831). He studied religious studies and also minored in coaching.

Todd Rogers' Playing Career

Todd Rogers first started playing beach volleyball because his high school coach, Jon Lee, suggested it. This helped him stay in shape for the indoor volleyball season. His first beach volleyball teammate was Clay Holdren, who was a cousin of Dax Holdren, back in 1987.

Starting as an Amateur Player

Todd later teamed up with Dax Holdren. They started playing in professional tournaments in 1993. However, Todd could not take any prize money because he was still an amateur student-athlete at UC Santa Barbara. This rule helped him keep his amateur status with the National Collegiate Athletic Association. In August 1995, they played in the Manhattan Beach Open and finished in 25th place.

Becoming a Professional Player

After finishing college, Todd Rogers became a professional beach volleyball player. He continued to play with Dax Holdren. They competed in the AVP Tour in the U.S. and the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour internationally.

First Wins with Dax Holdren

Todd was named AVP Rookie of the Year in 1997. Their first tournament win together was at the AVP Minneapolis Open in July 1998. They won their first international tournament in June 2000 at the Mexico Open in Rosarito, Mexico. Todd and Dax played together for six years as professionals. They won five AVP Tour events and one FIVB Beach World Tour event.

Playing with Sean Scott

At the end of 2001, Todd Rogers started playing with Sean Scott. They played together for Todd's last event of the 2001 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour. They almost made it to the 2004 Summer Olympics, but only two American teams could go, and they were the third best. Todd and Sean won four AVP Tour events together.

Dominance with Phil Dalhausser

In 2006, Todd Rogers teamed up with Phil Dalhausser, a tall and talented new player. Todd helped coach Phil and taught him the tricks of the game.

Success in 2006

In 2006, Todd and Phil won eight AVP events and one FIVB event. Todd also won a special tournament called "God of the Beach." They finished the 2006 AVP season in second place, very close to the top team.

World Champions in 2007

Todd and Phil were the top team on the AVP Tour in 2007, winning 10 tournaments. They also made history by winning the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Gstaad, Switzerland. This was the first time a U.S. men's team had won this championship.

Continued Success in 2008

In 2008, Todd and Phil continued to be a very strong team. They won eight domestic tournaments and three major international events. In 2011, they set new records for the most wins in a single season on the FIVB tour. They finished that year as the world's number one ranked team.

Todd Rogers at the Olympics

Todd Rogers has represented the United States in beach volleyball at the Olympic Games.

Athens 2004 Olympics

Even though Todd and his partner, Sean Scott, were ranked as the fourth-best team in the world, they did not get to play in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Only the top two U.S. teams qualified. Todd was named an alternate, meaning he was ready to play if someone else couldn't, but he did not compete.

Beijing 2008 Olympics

President George W. Bush with Todd Rogers and teammate Phil Dalhausser at a practice session before their first matches at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser qualified as the number one team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. After a surprising loss in their first match against Latvia, they bounced back. On August 22, 2008, they won the gold medal in beach volleyball! They defeated the Brazilian team of Fabio and Marcio in an exciting three-set match.

London 2012 Olympics

At the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Todd and Phil tried to win another gold medal. However, they were defeated in the round of 16 by a young Italian team, Paolo Nicolai and Daniele Lupo. They lost in two straight sets.

Todd Rogers' Coaching Career

Todd Rogers was an assistant coach for the men's volleyball team at UC Santa Barbara from 2000 to 2005. He then stopped coaching to focus completely on his professional playing career. After winning the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal, Todd returned to coaching. In early 2016, he became the head coach of the Cal Poly Women's Beach Volleyball team.

Todd Rogers' Personal Life

Todd Rogers has been honored by being inducted into the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Hall of Fame. This was for his amazing achievements in both indoor and beach volleyball. When he's not playing or coaching, Todd enjoys surfing.

Awards and Honors

Todd Rogers has received many awards for his skills in beach volleyball:

AVP Best Defensive Player: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
AVP Crocs Cup Champion: 2007 (with Phil Dalhausser), 2008 (with Phil Dalhausser)
AVP Most Valuable Player: 2006
AVP Rookie of the Year: 1997
AVP Team of the Year: 2007 (with Phil Dalhausser), 2008 (with Phil Dalhausser)
FIVB Best Defensive Player: 2006, 2007, 2008
FIVB Most Inspirational: 2008
FIVB Best Setter: 2005

Images for kids

Rogers in 2007
President George W. Bush with Todd Rogers and teammate Phil Dalhausser at a practice session before their first matches at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.