444 Dwight Street
Holyoke, MA 01040
Phone: 413.536.0926
FAX: 413.539.6673
info@volleyhall.org
www.volleyhall.org  

History of the Volleyball Hall of Fame

In 1971, the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce established an ad hoc committee for the purpose of promoting Holyoke, Massachusetts, birthplace of volleyball, as the future home of the Volleyball Hall of Fame (VBHF).

In 1978, the committee incorporated as Holyoke Volleyball Hall of Fame, Inc., a nonprofit corporation established for the purpose of planning, promoting, establishing and maintaining a living memorial to the sport of volleyball.

William G. Morgan, inventor of volleyball at the Holyoke YMCA in 1895, was honored posthumously as first inductee of Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1985. Douglas Beal, coach of 1984 U.S. Men’s Gold Medal Olympic Volleyball Team, served as keynote speaker for induction ceremony.

The Volleyball Hall of Fame, at 444 Dwight St. in Holyoke opened to the public on June 6, 1987. A two-day volleyball tournament was hosted by the Volleyball Hall of Fame to celebrate the grand opening.

l-r Norio Yamagishi, managing director of JVA; Ed Skorek,

Six international greats of volleyball on Thursday, Oct. 12. Bernie Holtzman of the United States, Endre Holvay of Hungary, Jackie Silva of Brazil, Edward Skorek of Poland, Nina Smoleeva of USSR/ Russia and Shigeo Yamada of Japan were inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in an afternoon ceremony. The Japan Volleyball Association (JVA) received "Court of Honor Award."

Basic Information

The address for the Volleyball Hall of Fame is 444 Dwight St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Phone: 413-536-0926 Fax: 413-539-6673 Email: info@volleyhall.org. It is currently open Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 4:30 p.m. or by special pre-arranged appointments.

Directions to the Hall of Fame

From Interstate 91, heading North:

• Take exit 16, Rte. 202, Holyoke Center.
• Bear right at the bottom of the ramp on 202 North.
• Proceed through 7 traffic lights on 202N.
• Turn right onto Appleton St. at the 8th light (see YMCA on opposite corner).
• Proceed through 2 traffic lights on Appleton St., crossing High St. at the second light.
• Enter Heritage State Park on the left, across the street from the Police Station. The Volleyball Hall of Fame is at the far right side of the park, past the Merry-Go-Round and across from the Visitors Center.

From Interstate 91, heading South:

• Take exit 17, Route 141, Holyoke.
• At the end of the ramp, turn left.
• Go through the traffic light at the bottom of the hill, crossing Northampton St./Rte. 5 at the light.
• After several blocks, bear right at the fork, following Rte. 141/Appleton Street.
• Go through 5 sets of lights, crossing High St. at the second light.
• Enter Heritage State Park on the left, across the street from the Police Station. The Volleyball Hall of Fame is at the far right side of the park, past the Merry-Go-Round.

From Massachusetts Turnpike (Route 90):

• Take exit 4, West Springfield.
• Follow signs to Route 91 North.
• Follow directions above from 91 North.