Dennis Hare (born 1946) is a Californian artist, known mainly for his figurative work, and a former beach volleyball player and athlete. Hare's career spans 35 years. Today he is both a figurative and abstract assemblage artist with over 55 solo shows. He is also a member of the Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame. Hare wrote the first book on the subject of beach volleyball, The Art of Beach Volleyball. Early life Hare was born in Glendale, California in 1946. His father Fred was a sports writer and his mother Arlene an interior designer. In 1964, as a high school senior, he was selected to the All-Southern California Basketball Team. Hare was introduced to volleyball while at San Diego State University where he graduated in 1969. In 1971, after returning from the service where he was a member of the All Armed Forces Volleyball Team, Hare dedicated himself to the sport of doubles beach volleyball. His love of the sport prompted him to write the first book on the subject: The Art of Beach Volleyball. Education Hare attended Yucaipa High School and then went on to San Bernardino Valley College. He later transferred to San Diego State University to play baseball, graduating in 1969 with a first degree in physical education. Sports career Hare began his career as an athlete. In high school he played basketball and baseball for the California Interscholastic Federation. During the 1964 season he won an All-California Interscholastic Federation First Team award and an All-American Honorable Mention. He was also named the most valuable basketball player for the Desert Valley League that same year. He continued playing both sports into college. While at San Diego State University Hare started playing volleyball and later moved into beach volleyball. His beach volleyball career lasted between 1968 and 1978. In 1975 Hare and partner, Fred Zuelich, won the first ever Volleyball World Championship held in at the then San Diego Sports Arena. He teamed up with Jim Menges to win the Hermosa Beach Open in 1976. Hare entered and won several other notable tournaments including winning, with his partner, Fred Zuelich, the first commercially-sponsored event in 1974, and the first indoor championship, also in that year. He also won three Senior Olympic tournaments, amassing a total of eight career wins. In 2008 he was inducted into the California Beach Volleyball Association Hall of Fame. Artistic career Hare’s artistic career