History of Volleyball

Sunday, 07 December 2008 22:10 |

Volleyball has been around for over a hundred years, the following are its key milestones

Year	Technical Developments
1895	William G. Morgan, an instructor at the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Mass., decided to blend elements of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball to create a game for his classes of businessmen which would demand less physical contact than basketball. He created the game of Volleyball (at that time called mintonette). Morgan borrowed the net from tennis, and raised it 6 feet 6 inches above the floor, just above the average man's head. During a demonstration game, someone remarked to Morgan that the players seemed to be volleying the ball back and forth over the net, and perhaps "volleyball" would be a more descriptive name for the sport. On July 7, 1896 at Springfield College the first game of "volleyball" was played.
1900	A specific ball was designed for the sport.
1916	In the Philippines, an offensive style of passing the ball in a high trajectory to be struck by another player (the set and spike) was introduced.
1917	The game was changed from 21 to 15 points.
1920	Three hits per side and back row attack rules were instituted.
1922	The first YMCA national championships were held in Brooklyn, NY. 27 teams from 11 states were represented.
1928	The United States Volleyball Association (USVBA, now USA Volleyball) was formed. The first U.S. Open was staged, as the field was open to non-YMCA squads.
1930	The first two-man beach game was played.
1934	The approval and recognition of national volleyball referees.
1937	At the AAU convention in Boston, action was taken to recognize the U.S. Volleyball Association as the official national governing body in the U.S.A
1947	The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) was founded.
1948	The first two-man beach tournament was held.
1949	The first World Championships were held in Prague, Czechoslovakia.
1964	Volleyball was introduced to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
1965	The California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) was formed.
1974	The World Championships in Mexico were telecast throughout Japan.
1975	The US National Women's team began a year-round training regime in Pasadena, Texas (moved to Colorado Springs in 1979, Coto de Caza and Fountain Valley, CA in 1980, and San Diego, CA in 1985).
1977	The US National Men's team begins a year-round training regime in Dayton, Ohio (moved to San Diego, CA in 1981). Volleyball Publications (A precursor of Volleyball One®) is established by Val Keller in Huntington Beach, CA.
1978	Volleyball Emporium (A precursor of Volleyball One®) is founded in Torrance CA. by Greg Saunders.
1981	Volleyball Publications and Volleyball Emporium merge to create Volleyball One®. First VB1 catalogue is mailed nationally.
1983	The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) was formed.
1984	The US won their first medals at the Olympics in Los Angeles. The Men won the Gold, and theWomen the Silver.
1986	The Women's Professional Volleyball Association (WPVA) was formed
1987	The FIVB added a Beach Volleyball World Championship Series.
1988	The US Men repeated the Gold in the Olympics in Korea.
1989	The FIVB Sports Aid Program was created.
1990	The World League was created.
1992	The Four-Person Pro Beach League was started in the United States.
1994	Volleyball One® Player catalogue was born.
1995	The sport of Volleyball was 100 years old!
1996	Two-person beach volleyball was added to the Olympics. Volleyball One Sales Company celebrates 15th Anniversary.

Last Updated (Friday, 07 August 2009 11:38)

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