Flora Jean Hyman (July 31, 1954 in Inglewood, California – January 24, 1986 in Japan) was an American volleyball player and Olympic silver medalist. Nicknamed the "Clutchman", Hyman was extremely tall for a female, standing at 6'5" (196 cm). Some consider her the best volleyball player ever. She was the best volleyball player in her league at the time of her tragic death in 1986. July 31 is the 212th day (213th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 153 days remaining. ... Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Location of Inglewood in California and Los Angeles County. ... January 24 is the 24th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Volleyball is an Olympic sport in which two teams separated by a high net use their hands, arms, or (rarely) other parts of their bodies to hit a ball back and forth over the net. ... Music sample: Olympic Fanfare and Theme ( file info) — composed by John Williams for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles Problems listening to the file? See media help. ...

Education

Hyman was a graduate of Morningside High School in California. Hyman later went to the University of Houston, for a degree in physical education and mathematics. lalalala The University of Houston, formerly University of Houston–University Park, is a comprehensive doctoral degree-granting university[1] located in Houston, Texas. ...

Contribution to volleyball

A speciality of Hyman was the "Flying Clutchman" a fast hard impacting volleyball spike that travels at 110 mph (180 km/h). Perfected under Dr. Gideon Ariel, a former 1960, and 1964 Olympic shot putter in Coto de Caza, California,

"I had to learn to be honest with myself. I had to recognize my pain threshold. When I hit the floor, I have to realize it's not as if I broke a bone. Pushing yourself over the barrier is a habit. I know I can do it and try something else crazy. If you want to win the war, you've got to pay the price." --Hyman

Death

Hyman died on the sidelines after being substituted out during a game in Japan in 1986. Her death was due to an aortic dissection resulting from previously undiagnosed Marfan syndrome, a relatively common genetic disorder that affects more than 1 in 10,000 people. [1] Aortic dissection is a tear in the wall of the aorta (the largest artery of the body). ... This does not cite its references or sources. ...

The Flo Hyman Memorial Award is named after her.

Achievements

• Three times All American.
• Worldcup Competition, top six players of 1981.
• Best Hitter, Worldcup Competition 1981.
• Bronze medal in the 1982 World Championship Peru
• Silver medal in the 1984 US Olympics
• Sports Illustrated November 29, 1999 #69 on greatest century woman athletes

External links

• Biography (harvard.edu)
• Biography (blackathlete.com)