IN MEMORIAM Lea Wagner • 1935-2013


A leading lady in volleyball


ea Wagner, whose pioneering work in volleyball contributed heavily to the sport’s growth and to advancements in refereeing and scorekeeping, died in December after a battle with cancer. She was 78.


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Known simply as “Lea” in the volleyball community, Wagner served as Commis- sioner of the Great Lakes Region for more than 30 years and was also a member of USA Volleyball’s board of directors. Through much of her career, she offi ciated at all levels of the game: high school, collegiate and for USAV. “Lea Wagner was a true trailblazer for the sport of volleyball, mentoring countless women, coaches and offi cials along the way with her uncommon dedication and commit- ment,” USA Volleyball Chief Executive Offi cer Doug Beal said. “She was widely respected for her fairness in dealing with numerous diffi cult situations and, in the end, always doing the right thing for the sport of volleyball. We will miss her counsel and expertise deeply.” Among the many honors she received was the Harold T. Friermood “Frier” Award, the highest USAV honor bestowed on an individual. For women in volleyball, Wagner paved many paths. She was the fi rst woman to be- come a National Referee, the fi rst woman to offi ciate a men’s open fi nal match at the USA Volleyball National Championships and the fi rst woman to serve as a USAV event arbitra- tor. She also kept score at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where the USA men’s team won the gold medal and the USA women’s team won the silver. Asked once what her epitaph should read, she said simply: “I was tough, but I was also


fair.” V olleyballUSA will take a closer look at Wagner’s incredible career in its spring issue.


78 | VOLLEYBALLUSA • Digital Issue at usavolleyball.org/mag


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