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Two-time Olympian and Stanford graduate KIM ODEN steps back up to lead the organization she helped found

By Lucy Jones, 01/07/21, 12:00PM PST

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Kim Oden was a standout player for Irvine HS and Orange County VB Club, a three-time USVBA All-American before attending Stanford University where she led the Cardinals to the NCAA finals in 1984 and 1985.  In college, Oden was two-time National Player of the Year and three-time All-American and three-time Player of the Year and a four-time, All-Conference as well as AVCA player of the decade.  Kim also made the COSIDA All-Academic Team and won the Honda-Broderick Award as the top college player in 1985. After graduating with a degree in public policy, Kim joined the USA National Team and was captain for both the 1988 Seoul and the 1992 Barcelona Olympic teams, winning bronze in 1992.  In 1988 she was voted “Best Hitter”.  Kim went on to coach women’s college volleyball at Stanford, North Carolina, Duke, and Iowa State.  She then coached 6 years at St. Francis HS in Northern California and won two state titles RECORDING 100 wins and only 34 losses.  Kim is now the Associate College Counselor at Campbell Hall Prep in Studio City and occasionally announces Stanford volleyball matches.

25 Years ago, U.S. Mens National Team member, Byron Shewman, shared with Kim his vision for a volleyball program which would serve the underserved.  Kim joined Byron to build Starlings Volleyball, USA from one small team in San Diego, CA to the mega-club it is today.  Serving over 3700 players nationwide, Starlings not only provides affordable, quality volleyball training and competition for low-in come youth, but offers academic, career and college counseling along with character development curriculum.  Kim’s vision to create a program where young girls would be empowered to overcome adversity and become successful adults through the game of volleyball has become a reality far beyond what Kim and Byron could imagine.  Stepping up again as the new Starlings Chairperson of the Board, Kim will lead the Starlings movement into 2021 and beyond. 

“I am thrilled and honored to be named the chairperson of the Starlings Executive Board. For the past 25 years, the Starlings program has provided opportunities for girls in underserved communities to play the great sport of volleyball. Together with the Starlings staff, board, club directors, coaches, donors and sponsors, I look forward to working hard to provide healthy and positive life skills and experiences so that each Starlings player has the chance to grow into a confident young woman”.  - Kim Oden