By Hope Bowser
Western Sun staff writer
Chances are you are aware of the athletics program at Golden West College. Maybe you’ve been to a baseball game, or play volleyball, or are dating a water polo player… or maybe all three!
Even for those of us that aren’t quite that well-rounded, the athletics division genuinely affects the individual’s college experience, and not just in the obvious ways of entertainment.
Funding, transfer rates, and statewide recognition are all associated with a strong athletics program.
While GWC has a large support team making our program successful, athletic director Albert Gasparian brings an unparalleled level of insight, ability, and passion into the sports department.
Gasparian grew up in the area attending Huntington Beach High School, where he played both football and volleyball. At Golden West, he pursued the latter.
After transferring to UCLA and graduating with a political science degree, Gasparian returned to HBHS to teach as well as coach volleyball. He later received his Master’s in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University.
Moving on to his second alum, Gasparian coached women’s volleyball at GWC for 23 years, winning a total of 16 state championships, 12 of those consecutively, and maintaining a .917 winning percentage.
In 2005 he became GWC’s Dean of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics. Gasparian explains his promotion with “I needed something different. At that point we had won 12 consecutive times. I really became interested in improving the overall athletics department.”
That’s all the humble Gasparian would have us know. Only after digging a little deeper does he reveal his past coaching of the women’s Olympic Volleyball team in 1986, as well as traveling with the men’s team to China in 2009.
Gasparian coached the USA Women’s team at the World University Games three times, winning silver twice. He also coached professionally, leading the Orange County Diggers to the 1995 and 1996 titles, following the Los Angeles Starlite’s Major League Volleyball Championship in 1987.
Due to his impressive talent and passion for volleyball, Gasparian was inducted into the California Community College Women’s Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in November 2007.
So what’s next for the accomplished Dean? Croatia. Gasparian will be attending a volleyball coaching clinic with other illustrious individuals, including coaches from the University of Texas and the University of Santa Clara.
