IVHF William G Morgan Award

William G. Morgan Award

Created in 1994 and updated in 2023 to honor the founder of volleyball, the William G. Morgan Award is given to a group, corporation, or organization in recognition of significant support and promotion of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame for at least ten years (does not have to be consecutive). The award may be given in three divisions: international, national and regional.

Anyone can submit a nomination for the William G. Morgan Award.

Deadline: March 1 to be considered for current year.

Any nominations submitted after the deadline will be considered for a future year.

QUESTIONS? Contact George Mulry, Executive Director, at [email protected] or (413) 536-0926.

Use the button below to submit a nomination form.

William G. Morgan Award Nomination Form

AWARD WINNERS

2023: Homewood Suites by Hilton (Holyoke)
2014: Mizuno USA
2013: Dinn Brothers Trophy & Awards
2012: California Beach Volleyball Association
2011: Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.
2010: Mountain View Landscapes and Lawncare
2008: The City of Holyoke
2007: The Dowd Group
2005: Holyoke Medical Center
2004: Holyoke Gas & Electric
2003: PeoplesBank
2002: Volleyball Magazine
1999: Volleyball Festival, Inc.
1995: Spalding Sports Worldwide
1994: ASICS

2023
Homewood Suites by Hilton (Holyoke)

The Homewood Suites by Hilton and its staff consistently deliver a world-class experience for IVHF guests and have been the Official Induction Headquarters Hotel since 2011.

For their years of continued service to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame and the sport of volleyball we recognize Homewood Suites by Hilton with the 2023 William G. Morgan Award.

2014
Mizuno

Mizuno Corporation was established in Osaka, Japan in 1906 by Rihachi Mizuno. In the century since, Mizuno has worked steadily toward the development of sports in Japan and throughout the world. Today, Mizuno USA is located in Norcross, GA and continues to manufacture and distribute high quality golf, baseball, softball, running, track & field and volleyball equipment, apparel, and footwear.

Since their founding, they have taken special pride and pleasure in being able to participate in the exciting world of sports and providing sports equipment of the highest quality. Each and every one of their employees is guided by the ideal of true sportsmanship. That was true over 100 years ago and is still true today. It is evident in their corporate philosophy which, simply stated, is "Contributing to society through the advancement of sporting goods and the promotion of sports."

Mizuno products are synonymous with success and their product development strategy is to create products with features that enhance athlete performance and are unique to only Mizuno. These technological advancements make their sporting equipment and apparel go the extra mile and keep you in tip top playing form no matter the sport or the conditions. They believe in making products that work in harmony with your body, helping you to be the best athlete you can be.

Mizuno USA has been providing continuous support for, and promotion of, the sport of volleyball for over 25 years and a sponsor of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame Induction Celebration. Mizuno USA continually supports events, tournaments, leagues, and entire teams and pushes us all to ‘Never Settle.’

For their years of continued service to the sport of volleyball and the International Volleyball Hall of Fame we recognize Mizuno USA with the 2014 William G. Morgan Award.

2013
Dinn Brothers Trophy & Awards

Dinn Brothers Trophies was founded by Paul Dinn and his brother Bill in the fall of 1956 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The first trophy was sold in February of 1957; and so prompted the growth of one of the largest and most reputable trophy and awards companies in America. Headquartered in West Springfield, Massachusetts at present, its facility encompasses 72,000 square feet and employs over 100 people. For over 56 years, members of the Dinn family have been providing trophies, plaques, medals and other fine recognition products for young athletes, service organizations, municipalities and businesses in 50 states, Canada, the Virgin Islands, the Philippines and on U.S. military bases in Europe and Asia, and the family business has earned a reputation for quality and customer service.

Dinn Brothers has even had the honor of designing awards for such notable people as John F. Kennedy, Larry Bird, Bobby Orr, and Michael Jordan.

Dinn Brothers has been providing continuous support for, and promotion of, the sport of volleyball for many years. It has been a sponsor of the Volleyball Hall of Fame for over 15 years providing our Induction Plaques and Tournament Awards. Dinn Brothers also sponsors a variety of volleyball tournaments and programs.

Dinn Brothers believes the greatest success can be achieved by recognizing the success of others. For their years of continued service to the sport of volleyball and the Volleyball Hall of Fame we recognize Dinn Brothers with the William G. Morgan Award.

2012
California Beach Volleyball Association

The California Beach Volleyball Association, Inc. (CBVA) is a non-profit California Corporation which has nurtured, sponsored and promoted beach volleyball since the 1960's.

The CBVA is synonymous with beach volleyball and is celebrating over 45 years of developing and promoting this popular Olympic sport at the grass-roots level. Many of the game's greats have come through the ranks of their rating system.

Tournaments take place throughout the entire year with the majority of events happening in the spring and summer months. The CBVA prides itself on providing a training ground for every age group and "All Levels of Play". The scope of their youth programs as well as their adult schedule feeder programs into the International arena is unparalleled! The CBVA leads the nation in the development of beach volleyball.

In 1992, the CBVA founded a Hall of Fame to recognize the all-time great players and the leaders that helped promote the sport over the years. In 2011, The CBVA found a location for its Hall of Fame at the Hermosa Beach Community Center and had its’ first Hall of Fame induction ceremony in November of the same year. To date, there are 68 Inductees in the California Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame, 17 of which are also Inducted in the Volleyball Hall of Fame.

The Volleyball Hall of Fame wishes to thank and recognize the California Beach Volleyball Association for over 45 years of developing and promoting the fast-growing sport of beach volleyball. Learn more about the California Beach Volleyball Association at www.CBVA.com.

2011
Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. was formed in 2004 through the merger of two highly respected firms, Meyers Brothers, P.C., and Joseph D. Kalicka & Company LLP. Their collective history of providing tax, accounting, and advisory services reaches back to 1948. Presently, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. is consistently ranked by Accounting Today as one of New England’s 15 largest certified public accounting firms throughout.

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. serves individuals, privately-held businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and family-owned businesses in Western Massachusetts and beyond. Their clients range in size from individual proprietorships to multi-million dollar and international organizations. With a broad range of service and industry-specific expertise, they help their clients develop and implement sound and creative solutions to the broader financial and business issues that impact and shape their present and future.

Meyers Brothers Kalicka’s work culture features a deep sense of community and service. They take pride in the significant involvement of all of their staff in charitable and service endeavors, with a large number of their partners and professionals serving as board members to many of the areas community and charitable organizations.

The Volleyball Hall of Fame wishes to thank Howard Cheney (partner) of Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. for his significant contribution of time and support he has provided over the years. As a longtime board and executive committee member, Howard has always been there when called on.

2010
Mountain View Landscapes and Lawncare, Inc.

Mountain View Landscapes and Lawncare was founded by President Steve Corrigan in 1976.

Mountain View specializes in commercial landscape construction and commercial grounds maintenance throughout MA. and CT. Mountain View employees over 65 highly talented landscape professionals.

Some of the more notable completed projects are the Basketball Hall of Fame Springfield MA (original hall and current hall), CT Convention Center Hartford CT, Dr Seuss Memorial Springfield MA, Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Worcester MA, Holyoke Soldiers Home Living Sign. Simsbury CT track and artificial field project, CT Science Center Science Building, West Hartford Veterans memorial, Chicopee Comp High School and Worcester Vocational High School, UMass Integrated Science building, AIC Athletic Fields and Running Track.

The Volleyball Hall of Fame wishes to thank Steve and his company for the years of unselfish dedication and support they have provided over the years. As a longtime board member as well as past president, Steve has always been there when needed. In fact he recently oversaw the demolition and reconstruction at the Hall this summer of our new Inductee display area. And when Steve takes on a project, his whole company backs him up.

Steve has served a the chairman of the board for the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, the Holyoke YMCA the Holyoke Rotary Club, and the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association. Steve was presented the Holyoke Chamber business person of the year award in 2004.

2008
The City of Holyoke

Holyoke is an exciting, diversified community with a rich history, dynamic business sector, and a wide variety of economic and educational opportunities.

Located on the Connecticut River, Holyoke was developed in the 19th century as the nation’s first planned industrial community utilizing water power from the river and series of canals to provide for low cost energy for industry. In the early 1900’s, Holyoke was the greatest paper producing city in the world.

In 1895, William Morgan invented the game of volleyball (or mintonette as it was first named) at the Holyoke YMCA. The entire city takes great pride in the fact that Holyoke is the birthplace of volleyball.

We honor the City of Holyoke as a community for its support over these many years. The founding Chamber Chargers started the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1978. Local officials, businesses and individuals have carried the Chargers vision forward and continuously provided crucial support for the Hall and its events.

2007
The Dowd Group

The Dowd Group, a local insurance firm, has been a part of the Volleyball Hall of Fame since 1978 when Dowd’s President and CEO, Robert W. Gilbert, Jr., became the Hall of Fame’s first treasurer.

Gilbert later was honored with a Mintonette Medallion of Merit for his part as an original corporator.

The Dowd Group has also been a contributor since the first induction in 1985. The Dowd Group is the presenting sponsor of the Mayor’s Reception. Our highly revered VIP reception taking place the evening before the Induction Dinner & Ceremony.

Founded in 1898, The Dowd Group is the oldest insurance agency under continuous family ownership in Massachusetts. They offer all forms of personal, commercial, surety insurance and financial services to clients throughout New England.

The William G. Morgan Award, named in honor of the founder of volleyball, recognizes continuous support and promotion of the national and international growth of the sport of volleyball and the Volleyball Hall of Fame.

2005
Holyoke Medical Center

From its beginnings as a small community hospital in 1893 to its present status as one of the preeminent medical facilities in the region, Holyoke Medical Center has remained dedicated to progress.

Located on a 15-acre campus, easily accessible to all major highways, the medical center has approximately 1,100 employees. It serves an aggregate population of 180,000 in cities and towns which include, Chicopee, South Hadley, Granby, Easthampton, Southampton, West Springfield and Belchertown.

A full service facility, Holyoke Medical Center offers a complete line of medical/surgical services, including Emergency, Critical Care and an ultra-modern Birthing Center. In recent years, Holyoke Medical Center has significantly expanded, and in 2004 completed its $11.1 million addition and renovation program. The 33,000-square foot project was one of the largest in the history of the 108-year-old facility.

A subsidiary of Valley Health Systems, Holyoke Medical Center is an affiliate of the UMass Memorial Medical Center.

The partnership between Holyoke Medical Center and the Volleyball Hall of Fame extends back to the earliest days of the Hall. HMC has provided major sponsorships for years of Morgan Classic Tournaments and Induction Celebrations, enabling teams from across the country and guests from around the world to participate in these events and to have a well appreciated Welcoming Luncheon. HMC has always been willing to lend a hand with resources and volunteers to help us in staging first-class events. In 2004 HMC President Hank Porten served as our Induction Honorary Chairperson.

As we proceed into the new millennium, our partnership promises to continue providing information, programs, and tournaments that bring the excitement and thrill of the sport to every corner of the country.

2004
Holyoke Gas & Electric

Established in 1902, the Holyoke Gas & Electric is a municipality-owned electric, gas, steam and telecommunications utility serving over 18,000 business and residential customers.

HG&E has endured the tests of time, surviving hurricanes, floods, blizzards and even a blackout in 1965 that affected every city and town in the Northeast ... except Holyoke.

In 1997, HG&E had the foresight to develop a high-speed fiber optic network for the city, offering technically unmatched Internet services. Since then, HG&E has become the premier Internet service in the Pioneer Valley.

The partnership between HG&E and the Volleyball Hall of Fame extends back over fifteen years. HG&E has provided state-of-the-art wireless communications for the Hall, a message link via billing inserts to the residents of their substantial territory, and major funding support for years of Morgan Classic Tournaments and Induction Celebrations, enabling teams from across the country and guests from around the world to participate in these events.

As we proceed into the new millennium, our partnership promises to continue providing information, programs, and tournaments that bring the excitement and thrill of the sport to every corner of the country. We welcome Holyoke Gas & Electric into the Volleyball Hall of Fame as the 2004 recipient of the William G. Morgan Award

2003
PeoplesBank

Established in 1885, a decade before the sport of volleyball was invented, Holyoke's PeoplesBank has always prided itself on serving the families and businesses of Western Massachusetts.

Peoples (as it is more commonly known in the community) proclaims itself as "a full-service, strong community bank which exists solely for the benefit of our customers", but it is in fact much more than that.

A community leader throughout its history, the bank's corporate and management leadership is deeply involved in the community's charitable causes and has been a major supporter of the non-profit organizations which do so much to improve the quality of life in the region.

Since the founding of the Volleyball Hall of Fame, PeoplesBank has also taken a strong position of leadership regarding the Hall and its programs. From sponsorship of major events to offering guidance through its officers' membership on the Hall's Board of Directors and Committees, the bank has been a major factor in the Hall's growth and development.

The Volleyball Hall of Fame is pleased to award the 2003 Morgan Award to Peoples Bank for its service to the community and the Hall of Fame.

2002
Volleyball Magazine

The Volleyball Hall of Fame inaugurated the William G. Morgan Award in 1994 to recognize continuous support and promotion of the national and international growth of the sport of volleyball. The Volleyball Hall of Fame found it fitting to honor Volleyball Magazine on the occasion of its twentieth anniversary. Volleyball Magazine has served, literally and figuratively, as the prime source of news and views of volleyball to the U.S and abroad. The magazine resonates with a strong voice, cutting across petty divisions, and binding the volleyball community together in its mutual love of the sport.

Volleyball Monthly was founded in 1982, by Jon Hastings and Dennis Steers. Jon Hastings was an AA beach player who had a love affair with local California beach tournaments. Seeing an opportunity to pursue his volleyball avocation, he partnered with Dennis Steers to produce Volleyball Monthly for coverage of the rapidly expanding sport of beach volleyball. Throughout the 1980's the team of Hastings/Steers appeared on the masthead of Volleyball Monthly leading the charge to publicize volleyball and to increase appreciation for this timeless sport.

As the opportunity for dedicated magazine coverage increased, Volleyball Magazine was founded in 1990 by Western Empire Publishing. Soon it made sense to combine operations and the two magazines merged amicably in 1994, with full staff retention. Jon Hastings became publisher and Dennis Steers became editor. Volleyball Magazine has evolved through several corporate conglomerate ownerships since, but Jon Hastings held the post of publisher throughout the turbulent years of volleyball marriages and divorces and Volleyball Magazine has never lost its status as the sport's number one fan and promoter.

Volleyball Magazine has been the recipient of several awards including the E. Douglas Boyden Award and Meritorious Service Award from USA Volleyball and the Distinguished Service Award from the Volleyball Festival.

The Volleyball Hall of Fame is proud to bestow the William G. Morgan Award on Volleyball Magazine for its outstanding contribution to the sport of volleyball.

1999
Volleyball Festival, Inc.

The Volleyball Festival started as the commitment of one set of parents to providing athletic opportunities for their children. Bernice and David Epperson only wanted to send their daughter’s volleyball team to the Junior Olympics in 1981. Their fundraising and promotional activities in the Southern California area led Gary Colberg, a director of the Junior Olympics, to involve them with the administration of the 1982 Junior Olympics and the organization of the 1983 Junior Olympics at the University of California-Los Angeles.

In 1984, the Junior Olympics were scheduled to take place in Rhode Island, an expensive trip for the numerous West Coast teams. The Volleyball Festival was developed as an alternative event on the West Coast and was held in Northern California as an adjunct to the Los Angeles Olympic Games. With the success of the first Festival behind them, the Eppersons went on to organize ever larger Volleyball Festivals for junior girls.

The success of the Volleyball Festival is based on the promise of equal amounts of play for all levels, allowing all teams to play each day, all week, in a competitive but not contentious sports experience. Moreover, the Volleyball Festival has grown to include a wide variety of educational, social and entertainment activities for players, coaches and parents. The emphasis in the week of competition is on Festival Spirit, the best qualities that sports promote: bonds between teammates, sportsmanship, responsibility and teamwork, and the good-natured fun of competition.

At the time of the award, the Volleyball Festival was one the largest annual volleyball sporting events, with more than 900 teams and 10,000 team members. Throughout the week of competition, the players are cheered on by 1400 club coaches, 200 college recruiters, 450 paid staff, 10,000 parents and spectators. The Opening Ceremonies attracted over 16,000 participants. The Volleyball Festival truly lives up to its slogans: “Giving Women a Sporting Chance” and “Taking Sport to a Higher Level.”

1995
Spalding Sports Worldwide

Spalding Sports Worldwide, founded in 1876 by Boston Red Stockings pitcher Albert G. Spalding grew from a small sporting goods emporium into a worldwide manufacturer. Spurring its rise was the dedication, drive and love of sports displayed by its founder. A.G. Spalding started his career in sports at age seventeen with the Boston Red Stockings and pitched the team to victory in the 1872-73-74 and 75 National Professional Association finals.

Spalding has always prided itself in an impressive list of firsts: from the creation of the first Major League baseball in 1876 and the world's first basketball in 1894 to the first American-made golf ball in 1898. However, there are two "firsts" in which Spalding takes special pride: the creation of the world's first volleyball in 1895 and the development of the previously #1 rated volleyball on the beach, the Top-Flite 18.

From a little known sport in 1895, volleyball has grown into a fast-paced game, which has risen to a level of competition rivaling the most popular team sports in the world. Spalding has been part of that rise, contributing with not only the creation of the first volleyball, but with the publishing of the Official Volleyball Rules handbook (1916), constant improvements to the volleyball and sponsorships designed to develop the growth of volleyball.

Spalding was the official ball of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) and a sponsor of the Amateur Volleyball Association (AVA), numerous college programs and top volleyball athletes like Karch Kiraly and Misty May-Treanor.

In 1995, the Company joined the Volleyball Hall of Fame in Volleyball's 100th year anniversary celebration by creating a limited edition Centennial volleyball.

One hundred years after William Morgan asked A.G. Spalding and Brothers to create the world's first volleyball, Spalding continues its unwavering support of the sport and is dedicated to continuing that support in the century to come.

1994
Asics

ASICS is an acronym for the Latin phrase, “Anima Sana in Corpore Sano,’ meaning – “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body.” ASICS TIGER has built its corporate foundation on this belief.

ASICS TIGER Corporation, manufactures of technical footwear, apparel, and accessories, since 1977, has been involved in the promotion and development of the sport of volleyball on the high school, club, collegiate, national and international levels and is affiliated with organizations such as: the sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) Volleyball Council, the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

ASICS has sponsored many nationally ranked NAIA and NCAA men’s and women’s teams, as well as the national teams of: Brazil, Canada, Italy, Japan, Puerto Rico, Spain and Sweden.

ASICS has a proven record of commitment to the sport of volleyball and the Volleyball Hall of Fame was proud to have ASICS’s sponsorship of the commemorative rings given to each of the Hall’s inductees for many years.