A Really Big Winner

Winning is about the only thing UCLA men’s volleyball Coach Al Scates knows. Heading into his 37th season, Scates had compiled a 946-147 record for an .866 winning percentage, making him No. 1 among Southern California Division I coaches in any sport. * By his tally, “We’ve been to 21 [NCAA] Final Fours, won 25 NCAA semifinals and 17 NCAA finals. We’ve won four of the last six NCAA finals. So I’m having a good time.” * The best fun is going undefeated. In 1979, the Bruins were 31-0; in ‘82, 29-0, and ‘84, 38-0. Scates, 59, has coached many players who became Olympic and pro beach stars, including Karch Kiraly. * Second only to Scates is another Bruin, former men’s basketball coach John Wooden, with an .808 winning percentage.