Bob Moore, a fixture in Santa Barbara volleyball during the 1970s, 80s and 90s, passed away this week of complications from a major stroke he suffered in 2013. He was 76.
Moore coached the boys and girls volleyball teams at Santa Barbara High through three decades. He guided the Dons boys to a CIF Division 4A title in 1992 and a runner-up finish in Division 2 in 1997. His girls team in 1996 was the 2AA runner-up.
Moore also coached volleyball at Santa Barbara City College.
“Bob was a pioneer in high school volleyball,” said Nan Verkaik, former SBHS volleyball coach and athletic director. “He began the Tournament of Champions match-play format which is now copied by other tournaments. His coaching ability was respected by top high school coaches. He served on the CIF advisory committee for many years and ran the local beach volleyball tournaments for many years. His career included over 500 wins.”
When it wasn’t in the gym, Moore spent many spring and summer weekends at East Beach, where he ran the beach volleyball tournaments from the 1970s till his departure from the area in 2000.
He moved to Arizona, where he was a coach and athletic director at Coolidge High School.
He returned to Santa Barbara in 2011.
Moore is survived by a sister, Trish; sons Richard and Todd and three grandchildren, Lauren, Brooke and Connor Moore.
