International Volleyball Hall of Fame

International Volleyball Hall of Fame The Official Facebook of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
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The Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke, Massachusetts – the birthplace of Volleyball is a not-for-profit institution dedicated to honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to this international sport and to fostering the appreciation of the historical development of the game by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting its collections for a global audience.

06/14/2026

On June 13 we celebrate the legendary Edward Skorek — a 2006 IVHF inductee and one of the greatest players in the history of Polish volleyball!

Known as "the great bomber" for his powerful cross-court shots and straight-down spikes, Skorek captained Poland's men's national team through one of the most celebrated eras in the country's volleyball history. In addition to competing in four Olympic Games, Skorek led his country to the 1974 FIVB World Championship and a historic gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, where Poland defeated the Soviet Union in five sets in an unforgettable championship match.

He was awarded Poland's Officer's Cross of Polonia Restituta for his outstanding contributions to the Olympic movement and the development of the sport.

Following his playing career, Skorek went on to coach across Europe and the Middle East, including a stint with the Polish Women's National Team. He continues to be a beloved ambassador of Poland's volleyball heritage, participating in federation events and celebrations of the country's golden era.

Wszystkiego najlepszego, Edward!

To learn more about Edward's legendary career, visit his Inductee page at IVHF.org.


06/07/2026

On June 6, we celebrate the legendary Ronald Zwerver — a 2017 IVHF inductee and one of the greatest volleyball players in the history of the Netherlands!

A three-time Olympian, Zwerver was a cornerstone of Dutch volleyball's golden era. They won silver at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and delivered one of the most memorable performances in Olympic history, after defeating long-time rival Italy in a five-set thriller to claim gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Named the Best Server of the 1992 Olympic Games, Zwerver was also honored as Best Attacker at the 1990 and 1994 World Championships. He competed in 463 matches for the Dutch National Team and six professional seasons in Italy before retiring in 1999.

Since retiring, Zwerver has dedicated himself to developing the next generation — coaching with the Dutch national program, the Oregon State University women's team, and now focusing on connecting European athletes with collegiate opportunities in the United States through international recruiting and placement programs. He remains active in mentorship, volleyball education, and international events such as the Ditsala International Cup.

Gefeliciteerd, Ronald!

To learn more about Ron's legendary career, visit his Inductee page at IVHF.org.


As June arrives, we celebrate eleven remarkable International Volleyball Hall of Fame inductees whose birthdays fall thi...
06/03/2026

As June arrives, we celebrate eleven remarkable International Volleyball Hall of Fame inductees whose birthdays fall this month.

This accomplished group spans generations, disciplines, and continents — from legendary indoor players and championship coaches to trailblazing beach volleyball pioneers who helped elevate the sport on Olympic stages and professional tours around the world.

Their legacies reflect the extraordinary depth and global reach of volleyball’s history — administrators who built the sport’s infrastructure, coaches whose programs shaped decades of champions, and competitors whose brilliance captivated fans from Europe and the Americas to Australia and beyond. Together, they embody the vision, excellence, and enduring spirit that define the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.

Join us in honoring these legends for their lasting contributions to volleyball’s story. Happy Birthday to our June honorees!

To learn more about each of these inductees and their historic careers, visit the Inductee pages on our website at IVHF.org.


VolleyballLegends

🎙️🏐 Introducing Alejandro Coccia as the recipient of the 2026 Award for Media Excellence!For more than two decades, Cocc...
06/02/2026

🎙️🏐 Introducing Alejandro Coccia as the recipient of the 2026 Award for Media Excellence!

For more than two decades, Coccia has helped bring volleyball to millions of fans across the Spanish-speaking world through his distinguished broadcasting career. He served for 21 years as an anchor for ESPN’s SportsCenter for Latin America while also becoming one of the sport’s most recognizable and respected volleyball commentators and analysts.

Coccia has provided indoor volleyball commentary and analysis at six Olympic Games — Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024 — helping generations of fans better understand and connect with the sport on the world’s biggest stage.

Through his passion, storytelling, and commitment to volleyball coverage, he has played a major role in growing the sport’s visibility and popularity throughout Latin America and beyond.

Join us as we honor one of volleyball’s leading media voices during the 2026 IVHF Induction Celebration in Holyoke, Massachusetts — the Birthplace of Volleyball — October 16–17, 2026.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now at IVHF.org



🏐 Introducing John Cook as the recipient of the 2026 Mayoral Award of Excellence!As longtime head coach of the Universit...
05/30/2026

🏐 Introducing John Cook as the recipient of the 2026 Mayoral Award of Excellence!

As longtime head coach of the University of Nebraska Women's Volleyball program, Cook elevated Nebraska into one of the most successful and nationally celebrated programs in collegiate athletics, helping redefine the visibility and cultural impact of women’s volleyball in the United States.

One of the defining moments of his legacy came in 2023 when Nebraska Volleyball hosted a historic outdoor match at Memorial Stadium that drew an astonishing 92,003 fans — setting the world record for attendance at a women’s sporting event and showcasing volleyball’s incredible ability to unite communities on a global stage.

Cook has also played a major role in the growth of professional volleyball through his leadership as General Manager and Co-Owner of Omaha Supernovas. The franchise has led the world in professional volleyball average attendance for the past two seasons, including a remarkable 10,925 average attendance in 2025. Earlier this year, the Supernovas also established a new U.S. professional volleyball attendance record with a sold-out crowd of 16,838 fans.

His leadership, vision, and lifelong dedication to growing the game continue to inspire volleyball communities around the world.

Join us as we honor one of volleyball’s most influential leaders during the 2026 IVHF Induction Celebration in Holyoke, Massachusetts — the Birthplace of Volleyball — October 16–17, 2026.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now at IVHF.org



🌍🏐 Introducing the late Dr. Gabriel Cherebetiu as the recipient of the 2026 IVHF Mintonette Medallion of Merit!Through d...
05/29/2026

🌍🏐 Introducing the late Dr. Gabriel Cherebetiu as the recipient of the 2026 IVHF Mintonette Medallion of Merit!

Through decades of impact as a player, coach, educator, author, and international leader, Cherebetiu has helped shape the global development of volleyball at every level. He served as head coach of the Mexico Men’s National Team at the 1968 Olympic Games and later became a highly influential figure within the FIVB.

From 1971–1991, he served within the FIVB Medical Commission as a member, secretary, and ultimately president, helping advance athlete health, safety, and performance standards during a pivotal era in the sport’s international growth. He also contributed significantly as an FIVB Technical Director and through his work with the Mini-Volley Commission, helping expand youth participation and grassroots volleyball development worldwide.

An accomplished author and educator, his books — including Modern Volleyball and Fundamentos Técnicos del Volei Moderno — have educated and inspired generations of volleyball coaches and athletes across the globe.

Join us as we honor one of volleyball’s great international contributors during the 2026 IVHF Induction Celebration in Holyoke, Massachusetts — the Birthplace of Volleyball — October 16–17, 2026.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now at IVHF.org



05/29/2026

The IVHF Court of the Week comes to us from Ghana and this electrifying play!

🏐 Introducing Takashi Shimoyama to the IVHF Class of 2026 as a Referee inductee!Widely regarded as one of the premier in...
05/28/2026

🏐 Introducing Takashi Shimoyama to the IVHF Class of 2026 as a Referee inductee!

Widely regarded as one of the premier international referees of his era, Shimoyama officiated at three Olympic Games and earned the trust of the global volleyball community through decades of excellence, professionalism, and consistency on the sport’s biggest stages.

Across the Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, he served as First Referee for 16 Olympic matches and accumulated an impressive 23 total Olympic assignments as either First or Second Referee — reflecting sustained elite-level performance across multiple Olympic cycles.

Beyond the court, Shimoyama continued to shape the future of officiating as an FIVB Referee Delegate, international clinician, and member of the FIVB Rules of the Game and Refereeing Commission, helping influence referee education, global officiating standards, and the evolution of volleyball rules worldwide.

His leadership, mentorship, and lifelong commitment to excellence have left a lasting impact on international volleyball and generations of referees around the world.

Join us as we celebrate one of volleyball’s most respected officials during the 2026 IVHF Induction Celebration in Holyoke, Massachusetts — the Birthplace of Volleyball — October 16–17, 2026.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now at IVHF.org



05/28/2026

Introducing , International Volleyball Hall of Fame - Class of 2026.

Come celebrate her with us in Holyoke in October!

🏐🌍 Introducing Denis Le Breuilly to the IVHF Class of 2026 as a ParaVolley inductee! For more than four decades, Denis L...
05/27/2026

🏐🌍 Introducing Denis Le Breuilly to the IVHF Class of 2026 as a ParaVolley inductee!

For more than four decades, Denis Le Breuilly has played a transformational role in the growth, governance, and global advancement of ParaVolley and international volleyball officiating.

As World ParaVolley Sport Director from 2010–2018, he helped secure Sitting Volleyball’s continued place in the Paralympic Games by leading the alignment of World ParaVolley with both the IPC Classification Code and WADA Anti-Doping Code — a critical milestone for the sport’s future at London 2012 and Rio 2016.

Le Breuilly also became the first person in federation history to serve as Technical Delegate at two Paralympic Games, while helping oversee the expansion of World ParaVolley through the addition of new member nations, the development of the World Ranking System, and the advancement of Beach ParaVolley competition rules worldwide.

A respected referee, educator, and mentor for more than 45 years, he has officiated major international gold medal matches across FIVB and World ParaVolley events while helping train and inspire generations of officials around the globe.

His extraordinary leadership and lifelong service have left a lasting impact on ParaVolley and the international volleyball community.

Join us as we honor one of the sport’s great global contributors during the 2026 IVHF Induction Celebration in Holyoke, Massachusetts — the Birthplace of Volleyball — October 16–17, 2026.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now at IVHF.org



Address

444 Dwight Street
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01040

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Wednesday 11am - 3pm
Thursday 11am - 3pm
Friday 11am - 3pm
Saturday 11am - 3pm
Sunday 11am - 3pm

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+14135360926

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