International Volleyball Hall of Fame facts for kids
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An exhibit on various inductees at the Hall of Fame, 2012
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| Established | 1978 |
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| Location | Holyoke, Massachusetts |
| Type | Professional sports hall of fame |
The International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHF) is a special place that honors amazing players, coaches, officials, and leaders who have done great things for the game of volleyball. It's located in Holyoke, Massachusetts, which is where volleyball was first invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan at the local YMCA.
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History of the Hall of Fame
In 1971, a group in Holyoke, Massachusetts, started working to create a Volleyball Hall of Fame. They wanted to celebrate the sport where it began.
By 1977, signs around Holyoke announced the "Home of the Volleyball Hall of Fame." At first, it was just a small display of volleyball items.
In 1978, the group officially became the Holyoke Volleyball Hall of Fame. Their goal was to keep the history of volleyball alive and honor its greatest figures.
A small exhibit about volleyball's history opened on June 6, 1987. It was in a renovated warehouse that used to store silk fabric.
In 1998, the museum grew and moved to a bigger, permanent spot in downtown Holyoke. It shares a building with the Holyoke Children's Museum.
Today, the International Volleyball Hall of Fame museum has exhibits for each year's new members. You can see a full-size volleyball court replica, timelines of the sport, photos, and special volleyball items. There are also interactive videos and a gift shop.
The first person honored in the Hall of Fame was William G. Morgan in 1985. He was the inventor of volleyball. Since then, over 140 men and women from more than 25 countries have joined the Hall of Fame.
Who Gets Honored?
The International Volleyball Hall of Fame honors people in different categories: male players, female players, paravolley players, coaches, and leaders/officials. These are people who have made a huge impact on volleyball around the world.
Famous Male Volleyball Players
Many incredible male players have been inducted. For example, Karch Kiraly from the USA is famous for winning Olympic gold medals in both indoor and beach volleyball. He's the only player ever to do that!
Another great player is Gilberto (Giba) Godoy Filho from Brazil. He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the 2004 Olympics, the 2006 World Championship, and the 2007 World Cup.
Amazing Female Volleyball Players
The Hall of Fame also celebrates outstanding female players. "Jenny" Lang Ping from China is a true legend. She won Olympic gold as a player and later as a head coach, which is a very rare achievement.
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings from the USA are famous beach volleyball partners. They won three Olympic gold medals together, making them the first beach volleyball team to do so.
Top Volleyball Coaches
Coaches who have led teams to great success are also honored. Eugenio George from Cuba is known for leading his women's national team to win three Olympic gold medals.
Bernardo "Bernardinho" Rezende from Brazil is considered one of the most successful team sport coaches ever. He has won over 30 major volleyball titles and six Olympic medals with both men's and women's teams.
Important Leaders and Officials
Leaders and officials are also recognized for their contributions to the sport. William G. Morgan, the inventor of volleyball, was the very first person inducted.
Dr. Harold T. Friermood worked tirelessly to get volleyball included in the Olympic Games. Paul Libaud was one of the people who helped create the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), which is the main organization for volleyball worldwide.
Countries in the Hall of Fame
Volleyball is a global sport, and the Hall of Fame shows that! Many countries have had their players, coaches, and leaders inducted. The United States has the most inductees, followed by Brazil and Russia. Japan and Cuba also have many honored members. This shows how popular volleyball is all over the world.
See also
In Spanish: Salón de la Fama del Voleibol para niños
- Major achievements in volleyball by nation
- Fédération Internationale de Volleyball
