• Two-time U.S. Indoor Volleyball Olympian (’96 & ’00)
• 2003 AVP Tour Most Valuable Player
• Led UCLA to two NCAA titles (’93 & ’95)

• Nygaard and court partner Dain Blanton are favorites to represent the U.S. at the ’04 Olympics.
• Earned 2003 AVP Tour Most Valuable Player and AVP Tour Team of the Year awards 2003 awards.
• After competing on the U.S. Indoor Volleyball National Team for eight seasons (1993-2000), Nygaard switched to beach volleyball in ’01.
• At UCLA, became first collegiate men’s player to receive player of the year honors in two consecutive seasons.
• Ended his career as UCLA’s all-time leader in aces with 123.
• Majored in English at UCLA.
• Credits his brother for getting him into volleyball - “My brother is the reason for my volleyball beginning. I asked his advice about what fall sport to play and he told me to get out of his room. As I closed the door, he said he had fun with volleyball."
• Credits his grandfather for being his biggest inspiration in life.
• Enjoys watching movies, reading, and hiking in his free time.
• True to his Wisconsin roots, lists Green Bay Packer quarterback Brett Favre as his favorite athlete.
• Lists taking third at the World Championships in 1993 as his favorite volleyball memory.
• Visit his website at www.jeffnygaard.com

Admits to being very self critical of his own play. “I seem to beat myself quite often! Whether its something completely stupid, or I don’t know … I don’t think there’s one specific person who I have a problem with. People have the most success against me when I just let down a little bit, when I don’t play at the level that I should.”

Related Links
Video: Nygaard on teammate Dain Blanton hi | lo

On switching to beach: “When you first get out there your legs are burning, you just can’t move, it’s painful and it’s so frustrating because there are balls that you know you can get to... the next thing you know you’re doing whatever you want with it.”

Height: 6' 8" Born: 03-Aug-72 Hometown: Madison, Wis. Resides: Los Angeles, Calif. Sport: Beach volleyball