Andrija Gerić
A towering pillar of Serbia's golden volleyball generation, his powerful blocks and leadership anchored the team to its greatest triumphs.
Born 1977 (age 49)·Serbian volleyball player·Birthday: January 24·Generation X
Biography
Andrija Gerić, standing at an imposing 203 cm, was the defensive cornerstone of the Serbian volleyball team during its most dominant era. Born in 1977, his career coincided with the rise of Yugoslav and later Serbian volleyball as a global powerhouse. As a middle blocker, his primary weapon was the block, a skill he honed to an art form, shutting down opponents' attacks with intimidating efficiency. Gerić's presence was felt most profoundly with the national team, where he wore the number 12 jersey with distinction. His leadership and on-court intelligence were instrumental in securing the sport's highest honors, cementing his legacy as one of the key figures in a legendary squad. Beyond the national team, he enjoyed a successful club career across Europe, respected for his professionalism and unwavering competitive spirit.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Andrija was born in 1977, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Andrija Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
Andrija's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Could drive
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the gold medal with the Yugoslav team at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
- Secured back-to-back European Championship titles in 2001 and 2003 with Serbia and Montenegro.
- Claimed the 2001 World League title, one of volleyball's premier annual international tournaments.
- Enjoyed a prolific club career, winning multiple national league titles in countries like Italy and Greece.
Did You Know?
He was famously known by the nickname 'Giraffe' due to his height and long limbs.
Gerić played his entire international career, from youth levels to the Olympics, wearing the number 12 jersey.
After retiring, he served as the president of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia from 2016 to 2021.
“A block is not just a stop; it is the first attack.”
