Today, sport is a cultural phenomenon. Some question its overemphasis in society, and the positive and negative influences it has on players.  On Tuesday, April 19 at Oregon State University - Cascades next Science Pub, OSU Women’s Volleyball and former U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball head coach Terry Liskevych will present “Sports in our Society:  Does it build Character or Characters?”

Coach Liskevych will provide an analysis of sport worldwide, from youth sport to the Olympic and professional levels and suggest a collegiate model that would change the landscape of the present system.  He’ll also present an overview of athletics at OSU and a glimpse into the life of an OSU volleyball player.

Liskevych is the former U.S. Olympic women's head coach and became the 10th volleyball coach in OSU’s history in 2005.  A Chicago native who lived in California for 30 years, Liskevych spent 12 years (1985-96) as the head coach of the USA National Women's Volleyball Team.  During his tenure with the national team, the U.S. earned bronze medals at the 1992 Olympics and the 1990 World Championships. In 1995 Liskevych led his team to the gold medal at the World Grand Prix and was selected as the Federation of International Volleyball International Coach of the Year. His teams also finished seventh at the 1988 and 1996 Olympics and fourth at the 1991 World Cup.

Prior to his stint with USA Volleyball, Liskevych was head coach at the University of the Pacific, and earned NorPac Coach of the Year honors in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1983 and Pacific Coast Athletic Association's Coach of the Year in 1984. He also received the Collegiate Volleyball Coaches Association's National Coach of the Year award in 1983.  He spent two years as an assistant coach for the men's volleyball team at George Williams College before earning his first head coaching job for the Ohio State men's team. Under his supervision, the Buckeyes were co-champions of the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association for two seasons and he earned MIVA coach of the year both times.  Liskevych got his start in coaching women as an assistant for the USA Women's National Team at the Pan American Games in 1975.

Liskevych is a 1970 graduate of Loyola University (Ill.) with a bachelor's degree in biology. He received his master's of science in physical education from George Williams College and finished his doctorate in physical education at The Ohio State University in 1976.

Reservations are required for the popular Science Pub lectures.  Science Pubs take place from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Doors open at 5:00 p.m.  Networking and food and beverage service begin at 5:30 p.m, and the presentation begins at 6:00 p.m.  Science Pubs are sponsored by OSU-Cascades and are free and open to community members, and limited to 100 guests.  Participants must RSVP at info@osucascades.edu or 541-322-3100.  For information call 541-322-3100.