Aleksandar Boričić, the former president of the European Volleyball Union (CEV), died on Wednesday at the age of 77 in his birthplace of Belgrade after a brief illness. Before the start of the European Championship matches this week, CEV will hold a moment of silence to honor his memory. Boričić was a prominent figure in volleyball, having devoted his entire life to the sport as a player, coach, and president of various volleyball federations including those of Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro, and CEV from 2015 to 2024.

During his tenure as CEV president, Boričić initiated a complete transformation of the organization, which included significant developments such as the revitalization of EuroVolley, currently hosted by four countries with 24 teams participating. His leadership influenced not only the structure of European volleyball but also elevated its profile on the international stage. Boričić was a dedicated advocate for the sport and worked tirelessly to enhance competitiveness and visibility for European volleyball.

Boričić concluded his second and final term as CEV president in the summer of 2024. Notably, he won the CEV presidential elections in Vienna in October 2020, defeating Hanno Pevkur with a significant margin of votes. Pevkur expressed disappointment over the election outcome, highlighting the competitive nature of leadership roles within this influential sports organization. Boričić’s legacy will undoubtedly affect European volleyball for years to come, as his vision and leadership were pivotal in shaping the future of the sport in the region.