The volleyball world is mourning the passing of Vyacheslav Alekseyevich Zaytsev (Russian: Вячеслав Алексеевич Зайцев).  The champion of the 1980 Olympic Games and the long-time captain of the USSR national team has died at the age of 70.

​His son, Italian Men's National Team member and professional volleyball player at Lube, Ivan Zaytsev, announced his dad's passing on Instagram on June 12, 2023 saying - “Goodbye, dad ...have a good trip, rest now if you can."

The elder Zaytsev (a 2013 IVHF Inductee) paired with teammate Aleksandr Savin, a 2010 Volleyball Hall of Fame inductee, to form one of the most dominating setter-hitter pairs to ever play the game.  Zaytsev was adept at delivering quick sets to his favorite hitter leading to dominating victories and international titles along the way.  Zaytsev was also well-known as among the best blocking setters in the game.

"It is with profound sadness, the volleyball world bids farewell to a true legend and a cherished member of our Hall of Fame family," said George Mulry, IVHF Executive Director. "Vyacheslav Zaytsev's exceptional talents and contributions to the sport of volleyball have left an indelible mark on the fabric of history. His enduring legacy will forever be enshrined within these hallowed walls, reminding us of the profound impact he had."

Making his debut in 1969 with Russian club Avtomobilist as a 17 year old schoolboy, Zaytsev quickly established himself as a leader and force on the court.  In 1971 he won his first European Championship and by 1977 he had become captain of the national team for USSR.

Zaytsev was a key player for Avtomobilist and the Soviet National team throughout most of the 1970s and 1980s- 20 year span of international competition that includes two gold medals and two silver medals at the FIVB World Championship, two gold medal and a silver at the FIVB World Cup, and seven gold medals at the European Championships among many other accomplishments.

Zaytsev was considered one of the best setters in the world, being named the most valuable player of the 1981 FIVB World Cup, best defensive player of the 1977 FIVB World Cup and included in the list of annual 24 best players of the USSR 17 times.

Perhaps Zaytsev’s biggest accomplishments, however, came at the Olympic Games.  Representing the USSR in three Olympic Games, Zaytsev netted the gold medal at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow and led his team to the silver medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games and again at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

He was one of the first Russian players to play professional club volleyball abroad and spent five seasons competing in Italy from 1987 to 1992.  He played for Olio Venturi Spoleto the first two seasons with the team moving into the top Serie A1 division the second season.  Zaytsev played in Serie A2 the next two seasons with Sanyo Agrigento and G.S. Citta di Casello before his final season with Citta di Castello returning to the top division.  At the age of 40, Zaytsev played his last International match while playing for the Swiss club “Lugano” and quickly focused full-time on coaching.

As a coach, he adapted many of the volleyball techniques introducred by other coaches to retain the Russian pre-eminence in men’s volleyball competition.  He coached the Russian Men’s National Team from 1996-1997 and led them to the bronze medal at the 1997 FIVB World League.  He coached the Belogorie club to the silver medal in the Russian Championship five times and in 2007, he helped the Dynamo women’s club win the Russian Championship.

Zaytsev will be forever remembered for his long career, remarkable success, impeccable setting skills on the court and his inspirational leadership.

​HOLYOKE, Mass., May 22, 2023 - The International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHF) is proud to present its induction class of 2023, to be honored on October 21 in Holyoke. The class includes six members across four disciplines who were at the top of the game in their respective category, setting the standard and making history en route to being honored with this prestigious recognition.   

The 37th IVHF Induction class includes the following members: Olympic gold medalist and four-time Olympian Phil Dalhausser (United States, beach male player); two-time Olympic medalist and five-time FIVB World Tour Champion Larissa França Maestrini (Brazil, beach female player); three-time Olympic medalist and iconic setter with a twenty year career Katsutoshi Nekoda (Japan, indoor male player); four-time Olympian and three time Olympic medalist Yumilka Ruiz (Cuba, indoor female player); Olympic medalist and longtime professional and National Team coach Silvano Prandi (Italy, coach); and longtime administrator within various national and international federations and the first member to represent Thailand in the IVHF, Shanrit Wongprasert (Thailand, leader).

Also announced are four special award winners, recognized for their contributions to the IVHF or the sport of volleyball itself. They include the AVP (Court of Honor), the Homewood Suites Holyoke / Susan Concepcion (William G. Morgan Award) and outgoing American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Executive Director Kathy DeBoer (Mintonette Award). Also honored earlier in 2023 was Hector “Picky” Soto (Puerto Rico) with the Mayoral Award of Excellence. 

“Since 1985, the IVHF has had the distinct honor of inducting the legends of our sport while recognizing them for their storied careers and numerous accomplishments,” said IVHF President Steve Bishop, also the President of the Florida Region of USA Volleyball. “This year we look forward to welcoming another amazing class of inductees, along with several very deserving special award winners. We cannot wait to create new memories with this 2023 class of award winners. So many of the world’s greatest volleyball athletes, coaches, administrators, officials and leaders have made the trip to Holyoke, MA, USA, the birthplace of volleyball, to have their names and plaques added to the Wall of Honor, and to experience the pinnacle moment as their name is called and their story is captured forever. We invite everyone to join us for this incredible celebration.”       

All told, the IVHF has inducted 161 individuals from 25 countries into its historic Hall of Fame – those totals will rise to 167 inductees from 26 countries after the 2023 event. More detailed information on each inductee can be found below. 

"The achievements of the class of 2023 are undeniably extraordinary," stated IVHF Executive Director George Mulry. "From exhibiting unparalleled dominance in both indoor and beach volleyball across for more than sixty years to overseeing structure and competition for an entire continent, the IVHF is privileged to recognize these deserving individuals, along with our award recipients. Each honoree brings a unique story that will be shared with the world and we invite you to join us in Volleyball City – Holyoke, Massachusetts - to witness the celebration in person."

The 2023 International Volleyball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA on Saturday, October 21, 2023. The event is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, and ticket packages are available online at www.ivhf.org. 

Volleyball enthusiasts are encouraged to sign up for an IVHF membership which will provide behind-the-scenes and exclusive content before, during and after Induction Weekend. More information on the IVHF membership program can be found on the organization’s website. 

About the IVHF
Located in Volleyball City - Holyoke, Massachusetts - the city where volleyball was created, the IVHF is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to honoring the legends, recognizing the greats, and preserving the history of volleyball worldwide. The IVHF museum is home to over 160 inductees from 25 different countries and over 5,000 square feet of volleyball history. Thousands of people visit the IVHF museum each year to learn about the game and experience the exhibits. Best known for its annual marquee Induction Celebration honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates youth, collegiate, and recreational programs annually in New England.  For more information on the induction events, please visit the Hall’s website at www.ivhf.org or email [email protected]. 

Included in the 2023 Induction class are:

HOLYOKE - PeoplesBank affirms its commitment to the IVHF with $5,000 donation to support local programming. 

Since the founding of the Hall of Fame in 1978, PeoplesBank has taken a strong position of leadership regarding the Hall and its programs including sponsorship of major events and its officers' serving on the Hall's board of directors  In 2003, PeoplesBank was awarded the IVHF William G. Morgan Award for its service to the community and the Volleyball Hall of Fame.  

"We are very thankful for the continued support from PeoplesBank," IVHF Executive Director George Mulry said. "Their generous donation will support our on-going youth programming in Western Massachusetts that includes boys and girls all-star games and tournaments as well as the IVHF's annual Induction Celebration."

The grant was made as part of the bank's Community Care charitable giving program which, in 2022, included $2.3 million in grants and sponsorships to thousands of non-profits in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut.  

"PeoplesBank has a natural connection with the International Volleyball Hall of Fame – we both share Holyoke as our birthplace," said Matthew Bannister, PeoplesBank Senior Vice President for Marketing & Corporate Responsibility. "Past and present co-exist for the IVHF – preserving and honoring the history of volleyball, even as they are fostering the love of the sport in the next generation.  We’re proud to support the sport and the City, and to welcome the players and visitors coming from around the region and globe to Holyoke."

About Peoplesbank
PeoplesBank is a leader in innovation, corporate responsibility, sustainability, and employee engagement. As the largest community bank in the market, we have a unique ability to help the communities we serve through volunteer efforts and millions of dollars in donations to charitable and civic causes. Our associates devote an average of 10,000 hours to volunteer work each year, and 74 of the bank’s associates have served on the boards of directors and committees of 54 nonprofit organizations in the area.  PeoplesBank is a mutual bank and therefore responsible to our depositors, employees, and the community. This organizational structure allows us to focus on the long-term viability of the bank and the best interests of our customers who are served through our 20 banking centers located in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

About International Volleyball Hall of Fame
Located in Holyoke, Massachusetts - the birthplace of volleyball - the International Volleyball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving, honoring and promoting the sport of volleyball at every level - men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, in the United States and internationally. The IVHF Museum is home to more than 160 inductees from 25 countries and over 5,000 square feet of volleyball history. Thousands of people from around the USA and the world visit the museum each year to learn about the game and experience the exhibits. Best known globally for the annual Induction Celebration honoring the sport’s elite, the IVHF also supports and operates more than a dozen youth, high school and collegiate competitions and programs annually in the New England area. 

Pedro "Pete" Velasco died at home in Pahoa, Hawaii USA on March 21, 2023.  A 1997 Hall of Fame Inductee, Pete was a starting player on the U.S. Men’s Olympic Volleyball team in Tokyo in 1964, serving as team captain, and again in Mexico City in 1968.

Pete first appeared on the national volleyball scene at the United States Volleyball Championships in Seattle in 1956, his freshman year at the University of Denver, as a member of the Denver YMCA team. He returned to his Hawaiian Island home the following year, hooking up briefly with the Central Hawaii YMCA team, before a long and glorious relationship with the Outrigger Canoe Club.

As part of the Outrigger team, Pete took the mainland by storm, beginning a ten-year run of first team All-American Team honors in 1962, and was also named the National Tournament “Most Valuable Player” in 1965.

Not content with just winning over the country, Pete joined the United States National team and represented Uncle Sam in the 1963 Pan American Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil and again in 1967, when the U.S. Team won the Gold Medal at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada.

When the XVIII Olympiad opened in Tokyo, Japan in 1964, volleyball was officially presented to the world, and leading the U.S. Olympic Volleyball team onto the floor was its team captain, Pete Velasco. He returned to the Olympic forum in Mexico City four years later as a member of the 1968 US Olympic Team, which scored a tremendous victory in the early going, upsetting the highly favored Soviet team in pool play.

After the ’68 Olympics, Pete decided to return to school, but still teamed up with John Lowell, the assistant Olympic coach in Mexico, playing the 1969 and ’70 seasons at Church College in Hawaii. The honors also followed Pete home, as he earned collegiate All-American status in both years, and was named the Outstanding College Athlete of America Award recipient in 1970.

The year 1970 was doubly rewarding to Pete as the USVBA named him an “All-Time Great Player” award recipient as well, in recognition of his many achievements over the years.

While Pete retired from national competition following the 1972 Nationals in Salt Lake City, the honors still continued. In 1978, he was the first volleyball player elected to the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Pete was appointed AAU Junior Olympic Volleyball Development Chairman in 1979, and was named to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Hall of Fame in 1980.