Congratulations to the Class of 2025 - a look back at Induction Weekend
The International Volleyball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 Induction Weekend lit up Holyoke October 17-18 — a celebration that blended hometown pride, global recognition, and the enduring spirit of volleyball.
The Class of 2025 inductees included Laura Ludwig (GER), Dimitar Karov (BUL), Ivan Miljković (SRB), Rosa García Rivas (PER), Francesca Piccinini (ITA), Jürgen Wagner (GER), Barry Couzner (AUS), Guillermo “Willy” Paredes (ARG), and Kent Steffes (USA).
Special honorees were also celebrated: Paul Sunderland – Media Excellence Award, Peter Diamond – Mayor’s Award of Excellence, Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO) – Court of Honor, Elegant Affairs (Peg Boxold) – William G. Morgan Award, and Joop Alberda – Mintonette Medallion of Merit.
Festivities began Friday evening with record-breaking attendance at the annual Mayor’s Reception, where each inductee was honored by the Mayor of Holyoke, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and presented with honorary patches from the Holyoke Police Department, featuring their signature volleyball emblem — a point of pride for the city where the sport was born.
The Class of 2025 inductees included Laura Ludwig (GER), Dimitar Karov (BUL), Ivan Miljković (SRB), Rosa García Rivas (PER), Francesca Piccinini (ITA), Jürgen Wagner (GER), Barry Couzner (AUS), Guillermo “Willy” Paredes (ARG), and Kent Steffes (USA).
Special honorees were also celebrated: Paul Sunderland – Media Excellence Award, Peter Diamond – Mayor’s Award of Excellence, Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO) – Court of Honor, Elegant Affairs (Peg Boxold) – William G. Morgan Award, and Joop Alberda – Mintonette Medallion of Merit.
Festivities began Friday evening with record-breaking attendance at the annual Mayor’s Reception, where each inductee was honored by the Mayor of Holyoke, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and presented with honorary patches from the Holyoke Police Department, featuring their signature volleyball emblem — a point of pride for the city where the sport was born.
|
|
|
|
|
On Saturday morning, FIVB leadership joined inductees and award winners for a closed-door roundtable discussion that dove deep into the sport’s growth, impact, and future. The dialogue was inspiring, candid, and filled with forward-looking ideas that connected legends of the game with those shaping its next era.
That evening, the spotlight turned to the Induction Ceremony, where the global volleyball community gathered to celebrate those whose vision, talent, and leadership have shaped the sport’s history.
That evening, the spotlight turned to the Induction Ceremony, where the global volleyball community gathered to celebrate those whose vision, talent, and leadership have shaped the sport’s history.
|
|
|
|
A defining highlight of the evening came as IVHF Executive Director George Mulry and FIVB President Fabio Azevedo signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding, officially recognizing the IVHF as the sole international hall of fame for volleyball worldwide — a milestone decades in the making.
|
Each year, this ceremony grows in significance and spirit, reminding us why Holyoke remains the heart of volleyball’s global legacy. It is our greatest honor to welcome the volleyball community back to where it all began — to honor the legends, recognize the greats, and preserve the history of volleyball around the world. The Hall stands not just as a museum, but as a living testament to the people and stories that continue to shape the game we love.
The full 2025 Induction Ceremony — from emotional speeches and historic reflections to unforgettable celebrations — is now streaming on the Volleyball World YouTube channel.
|
|
Relive the night that brought volleyball’s legends, leaders, and fans together — and follow @ivhfofficial for exclusive clips, highlights, and behind-the-scenes moments from a weekend that officially ushered the Hall into a new global era.
Class of 2025 - Inductees
Dimitar Karov (Bulgaria) - Male Indoor Player
Ivan Miljkovic (Serbia) - Male Indoor Player
Rosa Garcia Rivas (Peru) - Female Indoor Player
Francesca Piccinini (Italy) - Female Indoor Player
Laura Ludwig (Germany) - Female Beach Player
Kent Steffes (USA) - Male Beach Player
Jürgen Wagner (Germany) - Coach
Barry Couzner (Australia) - ParaVolley
Guillermo 'Willy' Paredes (Argentina) - Referee
IVHF Special Awards
Joop Alberda - Mintonette Medallion of Merit
Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO) - Court of Honor Award
Peter Diamond - Mayoral Award of Excellence
Paul Sunderland - Award for Media Excellence
Elegant Affairs - William G. Morgan Award
CONTACT US
Please contact George Mulry at [email protected] or +1 413-536-0926 if you have questions or would like to learn more.
Unable to attend? Consider making a gift in honor of the incoming inductees.
Please contact George Mulry at [email protected] or +1 413-536-0926 if you have questions or would like to learn more.
Unable to attend? Consider making a gift in honor of the incoming inductees.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
