Kathy Gregory

Nicknamed “The Queen,” Kathy Gregory reigned as one of the top female volleyball players in the world before leading UCSB’s women’s volleyball program for 38 years as head coach of the Gauchos.

At UCSB Gregory guided the Gauchos to 27 NCAA Tournaments, dating back to the tournament’s inception in 1981. Her teams posted 20 or more victories 27 times. In 1997, her Gauchos reached the NCAA Regional Final and finished the season ranked fifth in the nation.

Gregory was named the AVCA National Coach of the Year in 1993, was a four-time AVCA West Region Coach of the Year and a seven-time Big West Coach of the Year.

While building a foundation of success at UCSB, Gregory dominated the sport on the beach as a competitor. She was named Women’s Beach Player of the Year in 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1983. During that period, she captured two world championships and became only the third woman enshrined into the Volleyball Hall of Fame on October 21, 1989.

Her competitive experience was not limited to the beach. She served as captain of the professional San Diego Breakers of the IVA, where she was a teammate of basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain. She also played on the 1968 U.S. Pan American and World Games squads. In 1997, Gregory became the 12th woman inducted into the United States Volleyball Association Hall of Fame.

Gregory has been recognized for her contributions to the advancement of women’s athletics. In 1981 she was given the Salute to Women Award for her devotion to women’s growth in sports.