I was born in Redondo Beach, California and have resided in Redondo, Manhattan or Hermosa throughout my life. Currently, I live in Hermosa Hills with my lovely wife, Kelly Collins and a wonderful son, Zeke who is 2 years old.

Beach Volleyball's Glam Years

In the summer of 1979 I started playing Beach Volleyball at Marine St in Manhattan Beach. I immediately loved the sport, and the lifestyle and after playing what most would describe as "social or weekend volleyball" for a few years, I started to focusing more attention on my game by playing during the week and training specifically for the sport. In 1982 I played in a few California Beach Volleyball Association's (CBVA) tournaments and soon thereafter started creeping up the CBVA rating system, culminating in obtaining my "AAA rating" in 1994 with Randall Koerv, of Manhattan Beach.

The funny thing is that Randall is 5 ft 8 and as many know I'm 5'11". We were by far the shortest team in the tournament. Needless to say it was fun and a significant achievement, beating Pro teams, Qualifiers and indoor All-Americans in route to our "AAA rating." Later Phil Stutzel, the CBVA president, informed me that "Randall and I were believed to be the shortest doubles team ever to achieve "AAA" status in California."

Of course being tall is a significant attribute in Volleyball, but it's not a requirement. Ball control, footwork, conditioning, strategy and consistently in addition to other factors play a big part in Volleyball success. Of course, these are the things I emphasize in my training and coaching program.

In all I was blessed and remained in top physical condition and thus, competed in the sport at the "AA", "AAA" and Pro Qualifiers for 20 years and was fortunate to qualify and play in the Manhattan Open (5 times), Hermosa & San Diego Opens (twice), Santa Barbara, Phoenix, Ft Lauderdale, Chicago, Fresno and others.

Master's National Champion

In 1995 I paired with Brad Slocum of Manhattan Beach and won the Beach National Championship. In the CBVA Masters are 35+ years. 33 Teams from 18 states competed.

Night Life and that "Goofy Nickname"

Of course, Beach Volleyball goes hand in hand with socializing and partying. The nickname "Dansin' Dee" was coined by my buddies at Marine Street. I minored in dance at El Camino College, having taken various Ballet, Modern and Jazz Dance classes. I also enjoyed the club scene in the late 70s and 80s..and yes, I'll admit it, even into the 90s. In that era numerous bars hosted dance contests and for many years I was fortunate enough to regularly do well (winning about half the time and placing in most of the events I entered). The $ was typically spent on refreshments for my inebriated cheering squad. These type of activities became a weekly ritual and with the tales my friends would communicate around the beach this soon become a widely recognized part of my persona.

Breathing Life into Smackfest

In the early 90s I paired with Bill Sigler to form "Dansin' Dee and Wigglin' Willie Productions." We combined our Volleyball classes and started tournaments, the early years of "Smackfest Events," a rambunctious and wild Volleyball 4-man tournament that has become a popular local event. I MC'd and developed a list of rules that prolonged the games by subtracting points from the winner's scores by performing various outrageous stunts. Many of these rules ("whip cream rule" and the "flash rule") are still used to this day.

CBVA Tournament Director and CBVA Board Member

Under the tutelage of Mike Cook, a CBVA hall of famer, I served as the CBVA tournament director at Marine Street in Manhattan Beach (my home beach) for 6 years, the last 4 of which I sat on the Board of Directors and headed the rules committee, new advertising and sponsorship committee and as well as the committee for the creative advancement of Beach Volleyball.

Coaching Background

I discovered my appreciation for coaching while covering a class for my former Volleyball partner Lars Hazen. Lars and I played in over 60 tournaments together spanning 3 decades and at one point played in at least one event for 18 straight years, winning two grass Opens and on the beach we placed in the top 4 over 20 times at various CBVA levels.

A Key Coaching Differentiator

When I wasn't dancing the night away or playing Beach Volleyball I was at Cal State University of Northridge (CSUN) where I received my Bachelor's and Masters Degrees in Environmental & Occupational Health and Safety. After a few years in the field working for Hughes and later Boeing I developed a special interest in and received my professional Certificate in Ergonomics (human body mechanics and interface while performing work activities). For over 25 years I had performed time and motion studies and ergonomic evaluations of numerous work tasks and associated activities to increase efficiency and minimize physical and mechanical stress while performing work to promote long term wellness. Soon I was using important aspects of Ergonomics and Body Mechanics together with my volleyball experience in my training and coaching program. This is a key differentiator in my teachings and one of the primary reasons my students get "so good so fast." My students learn at every level the why aspect. "Why did my pass go astray, what was my position when I contacted the ball, where did the ball contact me and what was my motion as I was contacting the ball?"

By the early phases of intermediate most of my students are self diagnostic and can list the things they did incorrectly and understand this "why component."

My system of teaching has radically transformed students' game in fairly short order and my students have gone on to tremendous success in VBV, CBVA and other competitions.

Fine Living Channel

In 2002 the Fine Living Channel visited some of the more prominent South Bay Volleyball programs and interviewed many Volleyball coaches. I felt fortunate that they selected me to be their lead for their series of Volleyball instructional programs. The 12 part series ran in 2003 & 2004.

"His sense of humor, sharp whit, technical soundness and highly creative descriptions and drills make learning fun and challenging. Moreover, his enthusiasm and energy are intoxicating! Doug Biel, Fine Living Channel.

I am flattered that many other Volleyball instructors, AVP player's spouses, relatives and friends, have taken my classes or sought my advice to improve their own teachings. I also consider myself fortunate to have many indoor coaches suggest that their players take my beach classes in the off season to improve their games.

Final Thought

Beach Volleyball is a combination of so many aspects… physical fitness, strategy, mental toughness, playfulness, swagger… and above all it's a game of energy and the celebration of the soul. After all…. were just big kids sprawling, leaping, sprinting and diving in the ultimate sand box aren't we? What could be more natural or more fun?" I'll see you at the beach.