COLOMBUS, Ohio — The late Carl McGown, head coach of BYU men's volleyball from 1990-2002, was honored with the USA Volleyball Harold T. Friermood "Frier" Lifetime Achievement Award while former Cougar Hugh McCutcheon, who coached and played under McGown, received the USA Volleyball Harry E. Wilson International Service Award at the 2024 USA Volleyball Hall of Fame Banquet on Wednesday evening.
The Harold T. Friermood "Frier" Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made long-time significant contributions to volleyball for a minimum of 30 years, with extensive, significant and outstanding contributions made to volleyball on the national and/or international levels.
The Harrry E. Wilson International Service Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their National volleyball federation, as well as to the FIVB, and who have made an impact on the international level through organizations involved in major World Volleyball Championship events.
McGown's legacy includes serving as BYU's club head coach for many years before the program transitioned into a NCAA-sanctioned sport in 1990. Prior to that transition, BYU won three national club championships with McGown. After a couple adjustment years moving into the NCAA, BYU made a meteoric rise to the top of the collegiate world. The Cougars would go on to win two NCAA Championships under McGown, one in 1999 and another in 2001. For his efforts, McGown was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association Men's National Coach of the Year in both championship seasons. McGown later stepped down as head coach following the 2002 season, accumulating a 225-137 record in 13 years.
In addition to coaching at BYU, McGown spent time coaching the U.S. men's national team in seven consecutive FIVB World Championships from 1974 to 2002, including appearances at seven consecutive Olympic Games. For his mark left behind on the national team and BYU volleyball programs, McGown was a 2011 inductee into the AVCA Hall of Fame. Later in 2014, USA Volleyball awarded him the James E. Coleman National Team Award.
McGown passed away at age 79 on Dec. 30, 2016.
During his time as coach at BYU, McGown mentored several players who went on to serve as coaches in the Olympics, including McCutcheon. McCutcheon led the U.S. men to a 2008 Olympics gold medal and a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics with the U.S. women. McCutcheon also spent time coaching the Cougars, serving as the assistant coach and top recruiter for BYU men's volleyball from 1995-2001 under McGown. During that time, BYU posted a record of 138-44 along with its two national championships.
In his collegiate career, McCutcheon played under McGown at BYU from 1991-1993 after transferring from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. In 1993, he was named an Honorable Mention All-American.
McCutcheon is the current assistant AD/sport development coach at the University of Minnesota in its athletics department, previously head coaching the women's volleyball program from 2012-2022, holding a 277-74 all-time record with the Golden Gophers.