Mike O'Hara (2005) - Hall of Fame

Mike O'Hara

Induction:
2005

O'Hara, an outstanding outside hitter, was UCLA's earliest pioneer in the sport of volleyball and was instrumental in making volleyball a varsity sport at UCLA. In 1953, with Athletic Director Wilbur Johns' permission, O'Hara's championship fraternity volleyball team represented UCLA and won the National Collegiate Championship in Omaha, Nebraska. The following year, Johns elevated men's volleyball to varsity status and the Bruins once again captured the national championship. In both seasons, O'Hara was named All-American. After graduating from UCLA, O'Hara played on the USA National Team in 1959, '63 and '64. He was a member of the 1959 gold medal team at the Pan Am Games and a member of the 1964 Olympic team. O'Hara also competed in U.S. Volleyball Association national tournaments and was named USVBA MVP in 1961 and '63. O'Hara and teammate Mike Bright also dominated beach tournaments in the 1960s, winning the first five Manhattan Beach Open tournaments. To this day, O'Hara continues to promote the sport and still actively competes in USA Volleyball tournaments and beach competitions, including recently being named MVP in the master's division of the USVBA Nationals. O'Hara was elected to the USA Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1996. Additionally, O'Hara was Vice-President of the L.A. Olympic Organizing Committee for the 1984 Olympics, and helped negotiate the location of the Olympic Organizing Committee headquarters, later known as the Peter V. Ueberroth building on campus.