Jim Arico's decades of work behind the microphone at Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) tournaments helped define the golden era of professional beach volleyball. With his rich, booming voice, sharp wit, and undeniable connection with both players and fans, Arico made every tournament a party to remember.

Announcing for the AVP during what many consider to be its defining period, Arico was more than just a deep voice. He pioneered an informal style that gave fans an insider perspective into the players and, in turn, made the players feel connected to the ever-growing crowds that descended on AVP events each weekend. It was a style that became very much associated with professional volleyball and carried on by those that followed him, most notably Chris "Geeter" McGee, who considers Arico a mentor.

Arico grew up in Ladera Heights, California and began his love affair with beach volleyball at the Westport Beach Club. His first volleyball partner was none other than hall-of-famer Tim Hovland. Arico played football and baseball at St. Bernard High School and baseball at Loyola Marymount University. After transferring to USC, Arico picked up his first microphone as the PA announcer for the USC men’s indoor volleyball team during their 1980 NCAA championship run.

Arico's passion for beach volleyball continued to grow after college where he competed in CBVA tournaments and in the infamous Gillis Invitational in Playa Del Rey, which he won in 1990. It was at the Gillis that Arico first announced beach volleyball, and he continued to provide Gillis commentary for many years.

Arico began his career announcing for the AVP in 1985 and continued into the early 2000s. Over that time, he called some of the most important events on tour including numerous Manhattan and Hermosa Opens and narrated the play of legends such as Kiraly, Dodd, Hovland, Smith, Stoklos, and many other Hall of Famers.

After retiring from the AVP, Arico has continued to share his vocal gifts, most notably as the voice of the Good Stuff volleyball team at the Charlie Saikley six-man tournament and at local Southern California four-man events. He also announces high school football, volleyball, and baseball games and has been the master of ceremonies for the CBVA Hall of Fame event since its inception.

When not announcing, Arico has had a successful 30-plus year career as a real estate lawyer, and, more importantly, as husband to his wife Shelby and father to his three children Sam, David, and Riley.

Jim Arico, a golden voice for the golden era of beach volleyball.

 

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