Young beach volleyball players can learn something from every tournament in which they compete, but Sunday at the AAU Isidore B. Dockweiler Open, they were given a little history lesson about the man who bears the name of the beach in Playa del Rey they were playing on.
Prior to explaining the rules of the tournament, Southern Pacific Volleyball Committee Events Director Denny Lennon gave players a brief summary of Isidore Bernard Dockweiler was.
“It’s important for the next generation of players to not only know the history of the game, but the people who have helped make is possible,” Lennon said. “That’s why I urge the kids to visit the clubhouse after they finish competing in ‘The Izzy’ and look at the photos and learn about the man.”
Born Dec. 28, 1987 to prominent a prominent family in Los Angeles, Dockweiler became a California lawyer and politician
A devout Catholic, Dockweiler became the first person to earn a bachelor’s degree from St. Vincent’s College, the predecessor of Loyola Marymount University.
He played a vital role in the development of the Los Angeles Public Library and served as its president from 1901-1911.
Manhattan Beach’s WIll Campbell records a kill during a Boys U14 Division contest. Campbell and partner Sebastian Rodriguez, of Hermosa Beach, took home bronze medals. Photo
Dockweiler later became involved with the Los Angeles’ public park system and, in 1940 served as chairman of the newly founded Los Angeles County Parks Committee that was formed to obtain funds for parks and recreation purposes and preserve beaches for public uses.
He was a member of the committee until his death in 1947 and on Jan. 26, 1955 a three-mile long portion of what was then the Venice-Hyperion Beach State Park was named the Isidore B. Dockweiler Beach State Park.
The venue has been the sight of numerous volleyball tournaments over the years drawing players from all over Southern California and Sunday’s AAU event was no exception.
Medalists included players from Santa Barbara to San Diego with eight South Bay athletes taking home hardware.
Manhattan Beach’s Aaron Phan and Santa Monica’s Johnny Wilson teamed to capture the Boys U14 division while Will Campbell (Manhattan Beach) and Sebastian Rodriguez (Hermosa Beach) won bronze medals.
In the Girls U16 competition, Chloe Newton (Hermosa Beach) and Lily Snyder (Manhattan Beach) were silver medalists.
Palos Verdes’ Sidney Smith and partner Bella Hedley (Los Angeles) won silver and the Manhattan Beach duo of Kelli Barry and Lea Unger won bronze in the Girls U15 division.
In the Girls U14 division Lindsey Kelly (Manhattan Beach) and Zoe Fleck (Granada Hills) were silver medalists.
For results, schedules and to register visit aaubeach.org.
