February 23, 2009

Olympic Champion Todd Rogers to Speak at UCSB's Recreation Center

George Foulsham

Todd Rogers, who won the gold medal in the two-man volleyball competition at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, will speak at UC Santa Barbara on Friday, February 27.

Rogers, a UCSB graduate, will speak at 1 p.m. in the university's Recreation Center Main Gymnasium. The event is free and open to the public. Rogers will speak about his road to the Olympic gold medal and his passion for sport. His appearance is part of the Department of Recreation's Natural High Lecture Series.

According to Rich Powell, lecturer in the Department of Exercise and Sport Studies at UCSB, this lecture series brings people to the university to speak about their experiences reaching a "natural high" via sport or other passions. "We try to invite people who have created a healthy lifestyle without the use of alcohol or other drugs," Powell said.

Rogers, who teamed with Phil Dalhausser to win Olympic gold, graduated from San Marcos High School in Goleta, and was an All-American volleyball player at UCSB in 1995 and 1996. In addition, he was assistant men's volleyball coach at UCSB from 2000-2005.

Issued: Feb. 23; updated: Feb. 24

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