International Volleyball Hall of Fame - Holyoke, Massachusetts USA
  • PLAN YOUR VISIT
    • Hours & Admission
    • BUY MUSEUM TICKETS
    • Group Tours
    • PRIVATE EVENT RENTALS
  • HALL OF FAMERS
    • Inductees
    • Eligibility & Nominations
    • Awards
    • Induction Celebration
  • Events
    • Induction >
      • Induction Celebration
      • Induction Tickets
      • Induction Yearbook
    • Morgan Classic
    • Battle of the Badges
  • MUSEUM
    • Virtual Museum Tour
    • In The Museum
    • Digital Exhibits >
      • William G Morgan - Father of Volleyball
      • History of Volleyball
      • Basketball & Volleyball
  • SUPPORT
    • Donate Today
    • Donor Listing
    • Memberships
    • AmazonSmile
    • Hall of Fame Training
  • NEWS
  • SHOP
  • About Us
    • Internship Program
    • Leadership & Staff

class of 1994

Picture

Patty Dowdell

Enshrined: 1994
Country: United States
Category: Female Indoor Player

BIOGRAPHY

Patty Dowdell played on the U.S. National Team from 1974-1980 and served as captain from 1976-1980.

She also played Major League Volleyball from 1987-1989 for the Dallas Belles and the Chicago Breeze.

After her playing career she spent six years as the assistant volleyball coach at the University of Iowa followed by seven years as head coach of the volleyball team at Texas Women’s University.

Patty is said to have been the first American woman recognized as a versatile, all around player.

Not only could she pass and play defense, she dominated at the net and, besides being able to hit with both power and finesse, she was a tremendous blocker.

Her career highlights include USA Volleyball’s First Team All American honors eight times (1973,1976,1977,1978,1982,1986,1992 and 1994), and second team honors four times. She was the USA Volleyball’s MVP in 1978 and 1994, and played on USA National Championship Teams in 1976, 1978, 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994, and runner-up teams in 1982 and 1987.

In 1988, she received the USA Volleyball’s “All Time Great Player” award. Patty was also recognized by the Volleyball Hall of Fame’s “Court of Honor” as part of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team.

A native of Houston, Texas, Patty earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the Texas Lutheran College in 1982 and completed a master’s degree in physical education at DePauw University in 1987.

CLASS OF 1994

Picture
Patty Dowdell
Female Indoor Player
VIEW PROFILE
Picture
Marv Dunphy
coach
VIEW PROFILE
Picture
John Koch
leader
VIEW PROFILE
Picture
Larry Rundle
Male Indoor/Beach Player
VIEW PROFILE
ALL INDUCTEES
STAY CONNECTED
The International Volleyball Hall of Fame uses your contact information to provide you with news and information via email. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time using the link in each email. For information on our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. 

Picture
Vertical Divider
International Volleyball ​Hall of Fame
444 Dwight Street
Holyoke, MA  01040  USA
Phone: +1 413.536.0926
Email: info@volleyhall.org
Volleyball is the Official Recreational and Team Sport ​of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

© 2023 INTERNATIONAL VOLLEYBALL HALL OF FAME
IVHF IS A 501 (C)(3) ORGANIZATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF     INTERNS & VOLUNTEERS     SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES     PRIVACY POLICY
  • PLAN YOUR VISIT
    • Hours & Admission
    • BUY MUSEUM TICKETS
    • Group Tours
    • PRIVATE EVENT RENTALS
  • HALL OF FAMERS
    • Inductees
    • Eligibility & Nominations
    • Awards
    • Induction Celebration
  • Events
    • Induction >
      • Induction Celebration
      • Induction Tickets
      • Induction Yearbook
    • Morgan Classic
    • Battle of the Badges
  • MUSEUM
    • Virtual Museum Tour
    • In The Museum
    • Digital Exhibits >
      • William G Morgan - Father of Volleyball
      • History of Volleyball
      • Basketball & Volleyball
  • SUPPORT
    • Donate Today
    • Donor Listing
    • Memberships
    • AmazonSmile
    • Hall of Fame Training
  • NEWS
  • SHOP
  • About Us
    • Internship Program
    • Leadership & Staff