Named in honor of Joseph B. “Joe” Sharpless, vice president emeritus, past corporate secretary, 23-year vice president and 35-year member of the Board of Directors and a former event arbitrator. He was instrumental in the development and implementation of the event arbitrator program. COMMISSION:  This award recognizes individuals who have made significant and outstanding contributions...

Named in honor of Dr. James E. Coleman, who was involved with the USA national teams program for five (5) decades as a coach, mentor, statistical adviser and leader, and was a recognized leader in volleyball by the FIVB. COMMISSION/CRITERIA: To recognize individuals for unusual length of service/involvement with USA national team programs and demonstrated...

Named in honor of William G. Morgan, the recognized “inventor” of the sport of volleyball, originally known as “mintonette,” in 1895. COMMISSION:  This award recognizes individuals who have served as president of the USA Volleyball (1928-2006) and USAV (2006-2008), and as chair of the Board of Directors from 2008. COMMITTEE CHAIR:  Recognitions Commission CRITERIA:  Service...

Named in honor of Dr. Neville A. “Doc” Booth, the first USA Volleyball commissioner of regions and former commissioner of Region 1, now known as the New England Regional Volleyball Association. COMMISSION: This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to volleyball and USA Volleyball through the office of regional commissioner and/or as vice...

Named in honor of Harry E. Wilson, the fifth president of the USVBA (1969-1971). The award originally recognized outstanding leadership in the development of volleyball by organizations and individuals throughout the United States. 1980 Bertha Lucas, Chicago, Ill. Blue Valley Activity Center, Independence, Mo. 1981 Jack Foxworth, Dallas, Texas ChicagoWomen’s VolleyballAssociation, Chicago, Ill. 1982 Albert...

Holly McPeak is an ambassador on the beach volleyball scene, helping usher the sport into the Olympic Games and being a strong players’ voice in retirement. Holly competed in three Olympic Games, including the 1996 Atlanta Games as the first year with beach volleyball as a medal sport. She recorded her second consecutive fifth-place finish...

Kent Steffes started playing indoor volleyball at the age of 12 before transitioning to beach volleyball where he advanced to become one of the most decorated players of all time. Kent’s talent emerged when a group of parents in Pacific Palisades, California, started a club team. He played in many USA Volleyball Junior National Championship...

Donna Friesen Wigton kept the volleyball score for over four decades in various leadership roles before retiring from the scorer’s table. While still playing at UNC Greensboro, Donna earned her state DGWS rating in 1972 and refereed at every collegiate level through 2016. She later got involved with the Southern Region, becoming a regional referee...

Michael Blalock’s extensive experience in officiating and training the next generation of referees may not have happened if not for a chance exposure to volleyball while walking across the University of North Carolina campus as a student in the early 1970s. He was fascinated with the game and joined the North Carolina club team in...