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Eatherton, Phil
- 2004 U.S. Olympic team member
- 1999 Pan American Games
- 1998 World Championships
- Was the last middle blocker cut from the 2000 U.S. Olympic team
- Joined U.S. National Team in 1997, left in 2002, and was invited back in May 2004 to try out for the Olympic team
- Played professionally in Greece, Spain and Austria
- With his toes pointed in at birth, doctors connected his shoes with a steel bar. Up until junior high school he wore corrective boots with wedges inserted to keep his weight on the outside of his feet
- Tallest boy in ninth grade when he was cut from the basketball team; started playing volleyball in 10th grade
- Has hundreds of McDonald’s Happy Meals toys in his collection
- His great-uncle was former Major League Baseball pitcher Heine Meine
- Had already registered for classes and been assigned a dorm room at Southwest Missouri State when Ball State offered him a partial scholarship. His father said no, but when Ball State called back and offered more, so Phil was off to Ball State
- He led the Cardinals to three Final Four appearances at the NCAA tournament
- His father, Norm, ordered cable TV for the first time to follow his son in the 2004 Olympics
Former Ball State coach Don Shondell told the Star-Press that he signed Eatherton on potential because "he wasn't much of a player at the time." Shondell was more interested in Eatherton's height. At 6-9, he was a rarity among volleyball players at that time. "But we didn't know about his work ethic, which was tremendous, or his fun attitude," Shondell said. "He was a great guy to have on the team." Eatherton ended up setting Ball State career records for blocking assists and total blocks.
"I was absolutely a long shot to make the team," Eatherton told the Star-Press. "I didn't think it was possible this year to make the Olympic team. Because of that, I just played my heart out, enjoyed it, did the best I could. It was one of those things that worked out for me."
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Height: 6’9”
Born: 2-Jan-74
Hometown: Glencoe, Mo.
Sport: Men’s Indoor Volleyball
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