One of the most influential figures in European and world volleyball – Aleksandar Boričić – passed away on March 4 in Belgrade after a stroke. The news provoked a strong reaction in the volleyball community because Boričić was a person who for decades influenced the development of the sport both in the Balkans and across Europe.
In addition to his role as a leader, he will also be remembered as a loyal friend of Bulgarian volleyball, who over the years actively worked for closer ties and good cooperation between the Bulgarian and Serbian federations.
Until the very end, he attended major championships, having also watched Bulgaria's phenomenal performance at the World Championship in Manila last autumn.
Player Career
Aleksandar Boričić was born on May 26 in Belgrade. His volleyball career began at Crvena Zvezda, where he played from 1962.
With the Belgrade club, he won:
the Yugoslav championship title
three national cups
Boričić was also a long-serving Yugoslavia national team player. He recorded 103 matches for the national team.
His greatest success as a player came at the 1975 European Championship in Belgrade, when Yugoslavia won the bronze medals – the first distinction for the country's men's national team at a continental forum.
Successes as a Coach
After the end of his playing career, Boričić turned to coaching. He worked with the women's team of Crvena Zvezda, with whom he achieved significant successes.
Under his leadership, the team won:
four Yugoslav championship titles
three national cups
On the international stage, the Belgrade club reached third place in a European club tournament in 1982.
Architect of Serbian Volleyball's Successes
In 1992, Aleksandar Boričić became president of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia, a position he held for decades.
During this period, Serbian volleyball experienced its most successful era, in which the national team won:
an Olympic title
European championship titles
numerous medals from major international tournaments.
Boricic plays an important role on the international stage as:
President of the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV)
Vice President of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
A great friend of Bulgarian volleyball
Over the years, Aleksandar Boricic maintained exceptionally close relations with Bulgarian volleyball. He repeatedly worked to expand cooperation between the two Balkan federations and for joint initiatives at regional and European levels.
Boricic always emphasized that the Balkans have a strong volleyball tradition and that joint work between federations can help develop the sport in the region.
International accolades
Over the years, Boricic received a number of prestigious awards.
Among them are:
2012 – Honorary Professor of Sport at the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education at the University of Belgrade
2022 – The "Grand Cross" of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) – one of the highest honors in world volleyball.
Emotional farewell from Vladimir Grbic
Serbian volleyball legend Vladimir Grbic bid farewell to Boricic with touching words.
"I will not list his successes, titles, and merits. They are countless. This was the person from whom I learned the most about sports diplomacy and sports management. He is the most deserving for the successes of the golden generation and for the status of our volleyball. Above all – a HUMAN BEING," Grbic wrote.
He emphasized that the void left by Boricic cannot be filled, no matter how much effort is put in.
With the passing of Aleksandar Boricic, European and world volleyball lose an exceptional leader, diplomat, and a man who left a lasting mark on the development of the game and on cooperation between volleyball nations in the Balkans.
Homage to his memory!
photos: Nikolay Varadinov
