David DeGraaf

David Warren DeGraaf (born April 4, 1971 in Spring Arbor, Michigan) is an American former handball player who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics.[3]

David DeGraaf
David DeGraaf before the 1996 Summer Olympics
David DeGraaf before the 1996 Summer Olympics
Personal information
Full name David Warren DeGraaf
Born (1971-04-26) April 26, 1971
Spring Arbor, Michigan, United States[1]
Height 203 cm (6 ft 8 in)
Club information
Current club retired
Senior clubs
Years Team
Air Force Falcons
National team
Years Team
United States men's national handball team
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service1993-2014[2]
RankMajor  shoulder strap rank insignia for the United States Air Force. Major

Career

The United States Air Force Academy originally recruited him for football. But he played for the USAFA Team Handball.[4]

He played at the 1994 Goodwill Games (6th place out of 6), Pan American Games 1995 (4th of 6) & 1999 (4th of 7) and the 1996 Summer Olympics (9th of 12).[5]

At the 1996 Summer Olympics he scored record 13 goals against Kuwait and a record of seven blocked shots.[6] Only Niclas Ekberg was able to score 13 goals at the Olympic Games in 2012.

In 1997, he was selected as 1996 United States Air Force Athlete of the Year.[7]

Awards

Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Level unknown Marksmanship
Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

References

  1. Zanca, Salvatore (August 2, 1996). "U.S. Men's Handball Team Equals Best Finish in 12 Years". APNews.com. Atlanta. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  2. "David DeGraaf". LinkedIn. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  3. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "David DeGraaf". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  4. Sedgwick, David (April 11, 2016). "David DeGraaf". Automotive News. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  5. "David DeGraaf". Center for Automotive Research. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  6. "This Date in USAFA History". United States Air Force Academy. July 31, 1996. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  7. "Air Force selects its athletes of the year". Airman Magazine. XLI (2): 20. February 1997.
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