Phil

Eatherton

Quick Facts

• Born Phillip Daniel Eatherton in 1974 in Kirkwood, Mo
• Son of Norman Jr. and Mary Eatherton
• Has two sisters, Anita and Christine, and two brothers, Karl and Charles
• Has two children
• Married Jocelyn L. Buckner in 2019
• Mother's uncle, Henry William "Heine" Meine, was a major-league pitcher in the '20s and '30s
• Majored in marketing at Ball State University
• Once appeared on "The Price is Right" television show and advanced to the "Showcase Showdown"
• Almost quit volleyball in 2002 after being the last middle blocker cut from the team before the 2000 Olympics and after then-head coach Doug Beal told him he probably wouldn't make the 2004 team
• Stayed with the sport by playing in Europe, then played his way onto the team in 2004
• Received the 2004 Sagamore of the Wabash Award, which is given for distinguished service to the state of Indiana and is the highest civilian honor that the governor bestows
• Inducted into the Ball State Athletic Hall of Fame in February 2008

Career Highlights

• 2008: America's Cup
• 2008: FIVB World League (Gold Medal)
• 2008: Four Nations' Tournament (Gold Medal).
• 2008: Served as team captain for the U.S. Men that played in the America's Cup in Brazil. The group finished fifth. He played in 13 sets and scored 16 points
• 2008: An alternate for the Olympic team
• 2008: Played in two World League pool play matches in Bulgaria and scored nine points
• 2008: Helped the U.S. team win the gold medal at the Four Nations' Tournament in Leipzig, Germany and also played in an exhibition victory over Germany in Chemnitz.
• 2007: Americas' Cup (Gold Medal)
• 2007: FIVB World League (Bronze Medal).
• 2007: Helped the U.S. Men win a bronze medal in World League and a gold medal at the Americas' Cup tournament in Brazil.
• 2006: FIVB World Championships
• 2006: Pan American Cup (Gold Medal)
• 2006: Argentina Tour.
• 2006: Was a member of the U.S. team that competed at the FIVB World Championships and the FIVB World League
• 2006: Was with the U.S. team that captured the inaugural Pan American Cup with a 4-0 record
• 2006: Helped the squad finish 4-1 on the Argentina tour.
• 2005: - Pacific Northwest Tour vs. Netherlands
• 2005: USOC International Sports Invitational (Silver Medal)
• 2005: America's Cup (Gold Medal)
• 2005: FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal)
• 2005: NORCECA Continental Championships (Gold Medal)
• 2005: World Grand Champions Cup (Silver Medal).
• 2005: - Phil capped the 2005 season as a member of the USA squad that captured the silver medal at the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in November in Japan
• 2005: The Americans, who lost to defending Olympic gold medalist Brazil in the first match of the tournament, lost just one set the rest of the way as they defeated Japan (3-1), 2004 Olympic silver medalist Italy (3-0), Egypt (3-0) and China (3-0) en route to their fifth medal in five events this season The USA Men stunned the world's best team when it defeated 2004 Olympic gold medalist Brazil in five sets to win the America's Cup tournament in Brazil on Aug. 7
• 2005: Earned a gold medal as Team USA won its second-straight NORCECA Continental Championship with a four-set victory over Cuba on Sept. 15
• 2005: The USA Men qualified for the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup with the win
• 2005: Also earned a gold medal in August at the FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament as the USA Men qualified for the 2006 World Championships.
• 2004: - Houston Series
• 2004: USA Global Challenge (First Place)
• 2004: Serbia and Montenegro Tour (Second Place)
• 2004: Olympic Games (Fourth Place).
• 2004: - Phil made his first-ever Olympic appearance in Athens, Greece
• 2004: Scored a season-high 16 points (12 kills, two blocks, two aces) in a five-set win over Argentina at the USA Global Challenge on July 4.
• 2001: World League
• 2000: Korea Tour
• 2000: Recorded 17 kills and 10 blocks on the Korea Tour, including a career-high six stuffs on April 19.
• Ended his career at Ball State as the Cardinals' all-time leader in total blocks (575), block assists (477) and hitting percentage (.422)... Also finished fourth in kills (1,374), games played (401) and matches with 10 or more kills (72).

Olympic Experience

• 2004 Olympic Games (4th place)

World Championship Experience

• 2006 World Championship (10th)
• 1998 World Championship (9th)