The International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHF) in Holyoke, MA is proud to announce the ninth IVHF Boys High School Volleyball All-Star Teams and All-Star Showcase presented by PeoplesBank. The 50 players selected represent 20 different high schools from across Western Massachusetts. All selected players will be honored at the All-Star Showcase on Wednesday, June 22 at Westfield High School. The event will start with a 3-set 2nd team all-star match at 6:30pm followed by a 3-set 1st team match at 7:30pm. Adult tickets are $10 and Students/Children are FREE. Admission to the All-Star Game also includes a FREE future admission pass to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame Museum.
“The IVHF is very proud to have its home in Western Massachusetts and we are very excited to again recognize the top players in our area.” said IVHF Executive Director George Mulry. “We were not able to hold this event the past two years so it will feel especially good to be back out on the court with everyone to honor these amazing players in person.” Selected players were nominated by Western Massachusetts boys high school coaches. North League powers Westfield, Ludlow, West Springfield, and Agawam led all selections while Duggan, Granby, and Frontier Regional will honor their first boys all-stars. For more information on the Hall of Fame Boys All-Star Volleyball Showcase, contact events@volleyhall.org.
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History-making class celebrates vast history and accomplishments. HOLYOKE, Mass., May 24, 2022 - The International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHF) is proud to announce its induction class of 2022. This history-making class spans a vast range of accomplishments, expertise, and history and will be enshrined on Saturday, October 22 in Holyoke. The 36th Induction class includes six honorees for the 2022 class: four-time beach Olympian and three-time gold medal winner Kerri Walsh Jennings (United States); all-time great indoor Brazilian Men’s and Women’s coach Bernardo “Bernardinho” Rezende (Brazil); founder and first president of World ParaVolley, Pieter Joon (Netherlands), who will become the first inductee in the ParaVolley category; four-time indoor Olympian and winner of two silver and two bronze medals, Samuele Papi (Italy); three-time indoor Olympian and bronze medal winner, Fernanda Venturini (Brazil); and former Technical Director of the Dutch Federation and FIVB Technical Committee member for 30 years, Peter Murphy (Netherlands), inducted as a leader. “This is a remarkable class of inductees for 2022,” said IVHF President Steve Bishop, also the President of the Florida Region of USA Volleyball. “On behalf of the IVHF Board of Directors, we look forward to welcoming these legends and their families to Holyoke for the celebration of the year. It is a special moment to watch each inductee reflect on their respective careers as they are celebrated for their many accomplishments and contributions to our sport. We invite the entire volleyball family to join us for this year’s event.” All told, the IVHF has inducted 155 individuals from 25 countries into its historic Hall of Fame – those totals will rise to 161 inductees after the 2022 event, including the first-ever inductee in the ParaVolley category. "All eyes will be on Holyoke this October" noted IVHF Executive Director George Mulry. "We are excited to honor this history-making class featuring one of the most dominant beach players to ever grace the sand, the first-ever inductee in the ParaVolley category, leaders on the court, the sidelines and on the cutting edge of the game. This class covers it all and is sure to make for quite an emotional Induction Ceremony.” The 2022 International Volleyball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA on Saturday, October 22, 2022. Ticket packages are available online at VolleyHall.org/Induction-Celebration. We encourage all volleyball enthusiasts to sign up to become a member of the IVHF through our membership program which will provide you behind-the-scenes and exclusive content before, during and after Induction Weekend. For more information on the membership program, visit VolleyHall.org/memberships. The International Volleyball Hall of Fame is a 501c3 nonprofit based in Holyoke, Mass., and is dedicated to preserving, honoring and promoting the game of volleyball at every level - men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The IVHF was incorporated in 1978 and continues to create a diversely representative institution from a wide range of countries and disciplines. For more information on the induction events, please visit the Hall’s website at www.VolleyHall.org or email info@volleyhall.org. Meet the IVHF Induction Class of 2022
More Information Contact;
George Mulry, IVHF Executive Director (E-Mail: george.mulry@volleyhall.org, Phone: 413-536-0926) 444 Dwight Street / Holyoke, Massachusetts 01040 / Tel: 413-536-0926 Website: www.volleyhall.org / E-mail: info@volleyhall.org Tens of thousands of dedicated volleyball fans from 56 countries cast their vote for the Class of 2022! YOUR WINNERS ARE To be elected, a candidate must receive a combined total of 75% or higher from the International Selection Committee - comprised of all living Hall of Famers and the top 6 nominees from the Fan Vote.
The International Volleyball Hall of Fame Class of 2022 will be announced in May and the Induction Ceremony is scheduled for October 22, 2022. The list of nominees for the International Volleyball Hall of Fame 2022 Induction has been announced and the Fan Vote presented by Mizuno is now officially open through April 17, 2022.
Fans can vote daily for as many nominees as they feel are deserving of Induction. The top 6 nominees selected by the public will comprise a "fans' ballot" that will be tallied along with the official selection committee ballots to pick the Class of 2022 inductees. "These nominees represent some of the biggest names in volleyball from the past two decades and beyond." said George Mulry, Executive Director of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. "It's going to be really hard for people to narrow down their Fan Vote selections but it will also make this year's Induction that much more special for the selected class." The new class of Inductees will be announced in May and the 2022 Induction Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, October 22, 2022 and will be live streamed for anyone that cannot travel to Holyoke. Induction Celebration tickets are on sale now at this link. The IVHF’s Morgan Classic is the premier annual men's collegiate tournament, held at Springfield College, featuring the top NCAA Division III teams in the country. HOLYOKE, MASS. - The top teams in NCAA Division III Men’s Volleyball will visit Western Massachusetts for the annual International Volleyball Hall of Fame Morgan Classic, to be held Feb. 4-5 at Springfield College. The event is named in honor of William G. Morgan, the inventor of the game of volleyball at the Holyoke YMCA in 1895, and the first public exhibition of the sport, which was held at Judd Gymnasia on what is now the campus of Springfield College. This year’s event features powerhouses in men’s Division III volleyball, including top-ranked Springfield College, #3 Vassar, #4 NYU, and Endicott. Matches are 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Friday, with the winners from each match battling for the title on Saturday night. Match tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for youth and students and can be purchased online or at the door. This action-packed weekend commemorates volleyball’s heritage by celebrating its founder and recognizing the talent of some of the top college athletes in the country. "The Morgan Classic is a special event for the Hall of Fame and Western Massachusetts as we pay homage to the founder of our sport and the role Springfield College played in shaping the game,” says IVHF Executive Director George Mulry. “This is one of those not-to-be-missed events in our area where you can see the power and fun of top level collegiate volleyball during the Friday and Saturday matches.” Springfield College is in the unique position to both host the prestigious event as well as come into the weekend as the top-ranked team in the country. Head coach Charlie Sullivan understands the significance of both of these things. “The history of the Morgan Classic is like none other,” he said. “The tournament dates back more than 20 years and has included some of the top college teams and players in the game, including several Olympians. This year is no exception, with three of the top four teams being ranked in the top five nationally. It’s an honor to collaborate with the International Volleyball Hall of Fame to showcase this college men’s volleyball event to the community of New England.” The history of the tournament and the sport isn’t lost on the participating teams either. “The Morgan Classic is always one of the most memorable parts of our season,” said Vassar head coach Richard Gary. “When our players walk through the [International Volleyball Hall of Fame], they connect to the long history of the sport, some of the great stories of achievement, and they come away energized and intent on playing hard.” Jose Pina, the head coach at NYU, couldn't agree more. "Being part of the Morgan Classic is always an honor to our program," he said. "To participate in all of the activities that go along with it and to visit the Volleyball Hall of Fame is always a highlight for our staff. Just being invited to be part of the wonderful tradition that Springfield College presents yearly to three other programs makes for a singular experience for our student athletes. To see and read about the history of the sport we love and to then go out and compete at Springfield College is an unforgettable experience." William G. Morgan invented the game of volleyball at the Holyoke YMCA in 1895. While he first named the game “Mintonette,” it was given its official and more familiar name during its first public exhibition at a conference of YMCA Physical Directors held at Judd Gymnasia on the campus of the International YMCA Training School – now Springfield College. It was at this conference that a professor of the YMCA Training School called attention to the volleying action of the ball and suggested a two-word version of its present name “Volley Ball”. And it stuck. Traditionally, the Morgan Classic weekend features many more events, including a lunch with all of the teams as well as clinics run by the teams for coaches and players of all ages, but Covid-19 considerations have postponed these events for 2022. The matches are still open to spectators, and the International Volleyball Hall of Fame will be open 10am - 3pm on February 4 & 5 for fans to stop by and visit. All attendees of the match get into the Hall for free with their match ticket. For coverage of the IVHF Morgan Classic and related events, be sure to follow @ivhf_events on social media and visit https://www.volleyhall.org/morgan-classic.html. Notable players and coaches who have participated in the Morgan Classic: Players: Lloy Ball - IPFW 1993 (IVHF Inductee & 2008 Olympic Gold Medal) Scott Touzinsky - 2001 Long Beach (USMNT & 2008 Olympic Gold Medal) David Lee - 2001 Long Beach (USMNT, 2008 Olympic Gold Medal & 2016 Olympic Bronze Medal) David McKienzie - 2001 Long Beach (USMNT) Casey Patterson - 2005 BYU (Pro Beach Player & 2016 Olympian) Matt Anderson - 2006 Penn State (USMNT & 2016 Olympic Bronze Medal) Max Holt - 2006 Penn State (USMNT & 2016 Olympic Bronze Medal) AJ Nally - 2010 Springfield (D3 Player of the Year & USMNT) Jeff Menzel - 2010 UCSB (USMNT) Thomas Jaeschke - 2013 Loyola (USMNT & 2016 Olympic Bronze Medal) Cody Kessel - 2014 Princeton (Professional Indoor Player & 2020/2021 German Bundesliga Champion) Coaches: Arnie Ball, Al Scates, Don Shondell, Mark Pavlik, Tom Tait, Pete Hanson, Bill Ferguson, Alan Knipe, Charlie Sullivan, and Aldis Berzins. About the IVHF
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 game of volleyball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 150 inductees from 25 countries and over 5,000 square feet of volleyball history. Thousands of people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game and experience the exhibits. Best known for its annual Induction Celebration honoring the game’s elite, the IVHF also operates over a dozen youth, high school, and collegiate competitions and programs annually. You can be a part of honoring, preserving and promoting the history of volleyball by joining the IVHF Membership Program. To learn more, visit https://www.volleyhall.org/membership.html International Volleyball Hall of Fame Announces Multi-Year Archives & Special Collections Project1/21/2022 This digitization project will help the IVHF fulfill their vision of bringing volleyball and its history to the world. HOLYOKE, MASS. - The International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHF) today announced its Archival Preservation and Community Access Project (APCAP). APCAP is a multi-year project, funded by grants and donations, that includes digitizing the entire IVHF collection and making it available for public research both in person and online. The International Volleyball Hall of Fame has been fulfilling its mission to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret quality objects and records for over forty years. These documents and artifacts illuminate the history of volleyball from its inception to the modern day and its impact on national and international culture. In the IVHF collections there are notable: Olympic memorabilia, papers, historic files, books, magazines, posters, films, videos, uniforms, volleyballs, signs, banners, flags, and exhibit pieces from all over the world. These artifacts represent an invaluable collection including one-of-a-kind items from significant events in the history of the sport. “This extremely important project is long overdue and will be instrumental in the IVHF’s future display and social media plans.” said George Mulry, Executive Director of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. “We’re looking at this project as an archaeological dig within our Museum and we want to share that experience with our guests. Upon reopening, visitors will be able to walk around an active archival work area in our Museum and see the items being digitized that day.” The project began with a shutdown of the IVHF Museum from January 3 to February 3 so staff and volunteers can use Museum space to reorganize collections and ensure all documents and artifacts are properly preserved. The IVHF will begin sharing photos of unique and interesting “finds of the day” on social media so people around the world can follow the project. Do you have items significant to the national or international history of volleyball? The IVHF welcomes donations of collections or single items that directly support or complement its historic collections. The first step in donating items is to contact Executive Director George Mulry at george.mulry@volleyhall.org. About the IVHF 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 game of volleyball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 150 inductees from 25 countries and over 5,000 square feet of volleyball history. Thousands of people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game and experience the exhibits. Best known for its annual Induction Celebration honoring the game’s elite, the IVHF also operates over a dozen youth, high school, and collegiate competitions and programs annually. The next will be Feb. 4-5, 2022 with the Morgan Classic NCAA Collegiate Men’s Volleyball tournament, held at Springfield College. In conjunction with that event, players and coaches of all ages are invited to participate in clinics run by the participating teams. For more information on all of the events surrounding the Morgan Classic, please visit https://www.volleyhall.org/morgan-classic.html. # # #
New members will enhance the board's focus on outreach and help strengthen connections within the volleyball and local community. HOLYOKE, MASS. - The International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHF) today announced five new board members who will each help support the nonprofit’s work to bring volleyball and its history to the world. “We’re excited to expand our board with five new members, who each bring diverse expertise from both the volleyball and corporate worlds,” said IVHF Executive Director George Mulry. “We have worked diligently to ensure we have a strategic-minded board to help us continue expanding our local, national, and international reach and the newest board members will surely help us continue that momentum.” The new board members began their terms with the IVHF effective Jan. 1, 2022:
President of the IVHF Board of Directors, Steve Bishop remarked, “It will be an honor to serve alongside this great group of noteworthy & distinguished professionals who have agreed to join the IVHF Board of Directors. Their unique backgrounds and talent will surely help us continue our ongoing mission to honor, preserve, and promote this great sport. We are also very appreciative of the board members who are rotating off after many years of outstanding service to the organization: Heidi Johnstone, Marissa Casarella and Alex Morse. The commitment, dedication and sacrifice of this group (both past & present) is simply remarkable.” ![]() Joshua Garcia - Mayor, City of Holyoke: Joshua Garcia, an MPA graduate of Westfield State University and a 2015 BusinessWest Forty Under 40 recipient, is a practicing Public Administrator with a focus on community development, public management, and good governance. From his professional capacity beginning at the Holyoke Housing Authority as its Property Manager, to becoming a Project Manager in the Community Development Section of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), to the Town Administrator at the Town of Blandford, and now the Mayor of Holyoke, Josh is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all residents. ![]() Al Lau - CEO, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour: Al was promoted to CEO of the AVP after its July 2021 acquisition by Bally’s. Lau previously served the organization as its COO and in several other significant roles prior to that. Headquartered in Southern California, the AVP is the premier professional beach volleyball organization and longest-running domestic beach volleyball tour in the United States. The decorated AVP Pro Tour is the gold standard in beach volleyball, with more than 100 professional athletes competing for top prize money in front of more than 120 million fans worldwide. ![]() Lee Feinswog - Publisher & Editor, Volleyball Magazine (VolleyballMag.com): Lee took over ownership of Volleyball Magazine in the spring of 2016 and launched the new VolleyballMag.com website on August 1st of that year. Lee is one of just a few mainstream sportswriters who cover volleyball. He was the LSU basketball beat writer for many years and has written three books. He is also the host and producer of the Baton Rouge TV show Sports 225 and owns Volleyball Baton Rouge, a girl’s volleyball club. ![]() Lisa Wray - Marketing Director, Holyoke Mall at Ingleside: Lisa is an experienced Marketing Director with a demonstrated history of working in the retail industry. She is a strong marketing professional and is skilled in Marketing Management, Market Planning, Retail, Advertising, and Customer Retention. Lisa has a Master of Arts focused in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations from Western New England University. ![]() Aaron Jessee - Head Coach & Owner, International Institute of Sport & Movement: Aaron started his employment with the International Institute of Sport and Movement as a marketing intern. He learned within the company, not just how to train and rehabilitate himself and clients, but about the business. He helped grow the company to the international presence it is now, serving as both the Head Coach and Lead Educator for the fast growing organization as well as part of the ownership team. To learn more about the IVHF board, visit VolleyHall.org/board-of-directors. Individuals interested in being considered for a future seat on the IVHF Board of Directors should contact Executive Director George Mulry at george.mulry@volleyhall.org. About the IVHF
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 game of volleyball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 150 inductees from 25 countries and over 5,000 square feet of volleyball history. Thousands of people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game and experience the exhibits. Best known for its annual Induction Celebration honoring the game’s elite, the IVHF also operates over a dozen youth, high school, and collegiate competitions and programs annually. The next will be Feb. 4-5, 2022 with the Morgan Classic NCAA Collegiate Men’s Volleyball tournament, held at Springfield College. In conjunction with that event, players and coaches of all ages are invited to participate in clinics run by the participating teams. For more information on all of the events surrounding the Morgan Classic, please visit https://www.volleyhall.org/morgan-classic.html Holyoke, Mass., Dec. 2, 2021 - The Board of Directors of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame recognized its executive director George Mulry for his 10 years of service to the organization and the sport at its board and annual meeting on Dec. 1.
The board presented Mulry with an official proclamation for faithfully serving as the chief caretaker of the many historical artifacts contained in the museum. Additionally, he was honored for his commitment, dedication, leadership and honorable service to the corporation. A copy of the official proclamation was also entered into the official meeting minutes to document this noteworthy accomplishment. The IVHF Board President, Steve Bishop commented on the occasion, “The accolades for George from the board of directors and honorary advisors are well deserved. He has faithfully served the corporation with distinction during his 10 years in this role. It is an honor to work alongside George as we all strive to honor the sport we love so much.” Mulry puts forth considerable efforts to honor, preserve and promote the International Volleyball Hall of Fame as well as the sport of volleyball in its birthplace and around the world. "I'm grateful to the board and advisors for their continued trust and support," said Mulry. "Together, we have accomplished so much over the past 10 years to help lay the foundation for the next 10. It's an honor and a privilege to work here and continue to steward the history of volleyball." While one aspect of the Hall is recognizing international individuals for their lifetime achievements, there are many local events that the IVHF also puts on and sponsors. The next will be Feb. 4-5, 2022 with the Morgan Classic NCAA Collegiate Men’s Volleyball tournament, held at Springfield College. In conjunction with that event, players and coaches of all ages are invited to participate in clinics run by the participating teams. For more information on all of the events surrounding the Morgan Classic, please visit https://www.volleyhall.org/morgan-classic.html The International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHF) in Holyoke, MA is proud to announce the ninth IVHF Girls High School Volleyball All-Star Teams and All-Star Showcase. The 58 players selected represent 27 different high schools from all four counties of Western Massachusetts. All selected players will be honored at the All-Star Showcase on Tuesday, November 23rd.
The event will start with a 3-set 2nd team all-star match at 6:30pm followed by a 3-set 1st team match at 7:30pm. Adult tickets are $10, Seniors 65+ are $5 and Students/Children are FREE. Admission to the All-Star Game also includes a FREE future admission pass to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame Museum. “The IVHF is very proud to have its home in Western Massachusetts and we are very excited to again recognize the top players in our area.” said IVHF Executive Director George Mulry. “We were not able to hold this event in 2020 so it will feel especially good to be back out on the courts with everyone and honor these amazing players in person.” Selected players were chosen by Western Massachusetts girls high school coaches. Season standouts Frontier Regional and Westfield led all teams with five total selections to the first and second teams. Berkshire County was well represented with 11 total selections. For more information on the Hall of Fame Girls All-Star Volleyball Showcase, contact events@volleyhall.org. 1918 - 2021: Bertha Lucas (2018 IVHF Mintonette Medallion of Merit Award Winner) passed away on June 11th. Bertha's built-in historical knowledge base of USA Volleyball through her long-time service to the organization and sustained membership was matched by very few. She was involved in the sport for nearly 90 years.
Lucas, who turned 100 in November of 2018, attended her 65th consecutive USA Volleyball Open National Championships that same May, a record all to her own. And she played competitively in the Opens until 2003 at the age of 85. Lucas only stopped playing competitively at the Opens because she couldn’t serve overhand any longer. Lucas continued to make the annual trek to the Open National Championships even after she stopped competing because the sport had become like a second family to her. Berthas’ family had become a major part of the sport as well with about 15 extended family members who became involved. Her family includes daughter Nancy Evans a AA player, and daughter Patti Lucas Bright. Patti (a 1996 IVHF Inductee) and her husband, Mike Bright (1993 IVHF Inductee), both played in the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games. Berthas’ volleyball relationships ran the gamut of player, teacher, coach, manager, international chaperone, national player representative, National Governing Body member, USA Volleyball Board of Directors member, tournament director, clinician, innovator, promoter, surrogate mother to volleyball hopefuls, real mother to two USA Volleyball All-Americans and Nationals most valuable players and the list could go on and on. Lucas also coached several women who went on to play in the Olympics or international competition, beyond just her daughter Patti. In 1962 Bertha was elected national player representative to the USA Volleyball Board of Governing Members. Her contributions to volleyball were recognized in 1966 with selection as a Leader in Volleyball recipient. Also in 1966, Lucas was elected to the USAV Board of Directors’ executive committee and served two consecutive terms until 1979. Bertha won almost every major award in USVBA/USA Volleyball. She was on the board of directors for both the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Volleyball. She traveled as team manager with the U.S. Women in Tokyo in 1964. Lucas was one of the visionaries who helped form the Great Lakes Region and was on its board of directors for years. Bertha was the inaugural recipient of the Harry E. Wilson Award for Community Service in 1980. One year later in 1981, she was recognized with the Dr. Harold T. Friermood “Frier” Award, the highest honor that USA Volleyball bestows on an annual basis. Later, she was presented with the inaugural All-Time Great Coach Award in 1995 and the award for the pioneer division is now named in her honor. Bertha is survived by her daughter Nancy Lucas Evans, nine grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 7 great great grands, with one on the way. She is preceded in death by her husband Johnny and her daughter Patti. Bertha Lucas was a mother, an inspiration, a mentor, a friend, and a legend. She will be remembered fondly. |
AuthorThe IVHF exists to honor the legends, recognize the greats, and preserve the history of volleyball. Archives
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