FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

INVENTORS OF VOLLEYBALL SELECT PLAYERS, INSTITUTIONS FOR VOLLEYBALL HALL OF FAME

Denver, May 28, 2005 - Three former players, coaches and administrators of volleyball were installed this evening in the YMCA Volleyball Hall of Fame together with two local YMCA institutions that played a significant role in the history of the sport. An original, charter Hall of Fame member received additional recognition from the YMCAs' national board. The annual ceremonies were held this year at Denver's Adams Mark Hotel. Volleyball, like basketball is a legacy of America's YMCAs. Both sports were invented at Massachusetts Ys in the late 19th century, with volleyball created as a sport "for sedate businessmen."

Wayne Gardner of Lakewood, Wash., was inducted in the Pioneer category, celebrating those individuals whose contributions predate 1960. Dennis Patton of Meadville, Pa., and George Fetz of South Plainfield, N.J., were admitted to Hall of Fame status through the regular annual selection process as members of the Class of 2004. The Honolulu Central YMCA and YMCA of Youngstown, Ohio were selected as institutions that had fostered historic advances in the sport.

"It gives us great pleasure to honor those being inducted today into the YMCA Volleyball Hall of Fame," said Kenneth L. Gladish, Ph.D., national executive director, YMCA of the USA. "By their energy, achievements and love of volleyball, these exceptional sportsmen and YMCA institutions join other pioneers in a rich YMCA history dating back to 19th century America and the earliest days of the YMCAs. They have nurtured and advanced this sport, now beloved by hundreds of millions, and which - like basketball - was created and given to the world by the YMCAs. I extend my sincere congratulations on this recognition."

A high school football and basketball star, Wayne Gardner began playing volleyball at the YMCA in his hometown of Fremont, Nebraska in the mid-1920s. Following college and World War II service, he joined the staff and volleyball team of the Seattle YMCA, becoming General Secretary of the Tacoma Y before accepting a job as a civilian recreation supervisor for the U.S. Army. He [subsequently served on the Tacoma-Pierce County Volleyball Officials Board for nearly 30 years, was general manager of the Seattle Smashers pro volleyball team, served as Pacific Regional Commissioner and has been actively involved with the U.S. Open National Championships and Jr. Olympics tournament for more than 50 years.

Dennis Patton learned volleyball at the Meadville, Penna., YMCA and played and coached from 1955-1980. During the 1970s he organized the Meadville YMCA Tournament that drew teams and thousands of spectators from all parts of the USA and Canada. During the late 1970s and 1980s he organized, directed and played in a unique competitive men's league of 42 players and to this day has volunteered his time promoting and coaching volleyball at the junior and senior high school level. He has been the recipient of many previous honors.

George Fetz joined the Plainfield, N.J., YMCA in 1950, working as a lifeguard, camp counselor and bowling alley supervisor. He also participated in basketball, handball, swimming, paddleball, table tennis, track, judo, bowling and - volleyball - and gave trampoline exhibitions in the Plainfield's 4th of July parade. Participating in his YMCA's first volleyball tournament in 1952, he played, recruited, trained, and coached teams that dominated East Coast volleyball for many years. He continues to run 15 tournaments a year in the Warren, N.J. area.

Being separately honored for his leadership is Glen Davies who was inducted into the YMCA Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1995. Davies' YMCA career took him from the Springfield, Missouri Y where he was appointed physical director in 1950 to the Des Moines YMCA, the Fort Dodge, Iowa YMCA and on to a YMCA branch directorship in Kansas City. In 1969 he joined the national staff of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Throughout this career, he was a premier referee nationally and internationally and remains the only person to referee in four Olympic Games where he officiated two Gold Medal matches. Within USA Volleyball he has served as Chairman of Referees and of the Special Events Division.

The Honolulu Central YMCA is inducted this year into the YMCA Volleyball Hall of Fame under the Association category. First appearing on the national volleyball scene in 1956, this YMCA fielded players who became a major force in the Open and Age Group championships and produced Olympic and International competition players and coaches Sam Koanui, Gayle O'Rourke Won, Fanny Hopeau, Cindy Kalama McGee, Pedro Velasco and Tom Haine.

The YMCA of Youngstown, Ohio is inducted into the Hall of Fame for its accomplishments and the enthusiasm it has engendered since the creation of the sport in 1895. Its recreational "Noon Class" and coed leagues have involved thousands of people and, under Jeep McDonald, the Y developed an expanded competitive team, hosting during the 1960s one of the finest tournaments in the Midwest and winning the 1986 National Championships.

The YMCAs, which invented volleyball at Holyoke, Massachusetts in 1895, established their Hall of Fame a century later to honor individuals who make significant contributions in advancing volleyball, and to YMCAs that organize, instruct, supervise and champion those participants who achieve national and Olympic recognition.

YMCA of the USA is national resource office for America's 2,595 YMCAs, collectively the nation's largest community service organization and charity of choice. YMCAs serve 18.9 million people, including 9.3 million children through a broad range of programs. YMCAs are for people of all faiths, races, ages, incomes and abilities. Financial assistance is available. Visit www.ymca.net.

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