HOLYOKE, Mass. (June 29, 2016) – The International Volleyball Hall of Fame announced today the names of five volleyball legends who will be inducted as the Class of 2016 into its hallowed halls on Oct. 22 in Holyoke, Mass., the sport’s birthplace.
The 31st induction class consists of male indoor volleyball player Nikola Grbic of Serbia, female indoor volleyball player Danielle Scott-Arruda of the United States, beach players Misty May-Treanor of the United States and Emanuel Rego of Brazil, and coach Man-Bok Park of South Korea. Grbic and his brother Vladimir, a 2011 inductee, become the first pair of brothers to be inducted in the Hall, while Park is the first person from South Korea to join the ranks.
“One of the most remarkable facets of Misty and Danielle is their longevity that speaks volumes to their talent, commitment and impact on the history of our sport,” said Doug Beal, CEO of USA Volleyball and co-chair of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame selection committee. “Winning one gold medal is a remarkable achievement – to win three consecutive is unprecedented for Misty. Making one Olympic Team is a remarkable achievement – to be selected and be at the top of your sport for five Olympics is also unprecedented for Danielle. USA Volleyball is honored and humbled to recognize Misty May and Danielle Scott for their selection into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.”
The induction class is elected by a vote of past International Volleyball Hall of Fame inductees. A total of 22 different countries are represented in the International Volleyball Hall of Fame with at least one inductee. All told, 130 individuals will have been inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame after this year’s enshrinement ceremony.
“The 2016 Volleyball Hall of Fame class represents five remarkable individuals who were among volleyball’s elite over a long period of time on the international stage,” Beal said. “This induction class upholds the highest qualities of the game through its athletes and coaches, and what the next generation of athletes can look upon as true icons of the sport.”
“The class of 2016 honors a diverse group of legendary players amassing 17 Olympic Games appearances among the four players and a coach who led his team to an Olympic silver medal among four Olympic appearances,” said George Mulry, executive director of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. “These remarkable individuals have brought distinction to the sport over a number of years and we are humbled to honor them here in the birthplace of volleyball.”
Hugh McCutcheon, who coached the U.S. Women to the 2012 Olympic Games silver medal in Scott’s final Olympic Games, concurred with Beal on Scott-Arruda’s addition to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
“Danielle is such a worthy Hall of Fame inductee,” McCutcheon said. “She encompasses all of the qualities you’d expect in an exceptional athlete: drive, determination and the ability to help her team in any way that she can. A career that includes five Olympic Games is something incredibly rare and special. I’m so glad she’s been recognized for all that she’s done for our sport in this country.”
“This 2016 class of inductees to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame has a perfect balance between indoor and beach athletes and a marvelous coach,” said Al Monaco, co-chair of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame selection committee. “All have had lengthy careers with great successes. A very deserving class in all regards.”
The International Volleyball Hall of Fame induction festivities, presented by Spalding, include a Mayor’s reception on Friday, Oct. 21, at Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke, followed by the Ring and Plaque Ceremony inside the Volleyball Hall of Fame from noon to 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 22, with the formal Enshrinement Dinner and Ceremony taking place the evening of Oct. 22 following the Mizuno Meet & Greet.The Volleyball Hall of Fame, incorporated in 1978, continues to create a more representative institution with inductees of both genders and disciplines – indoor volleyball and beach volleyball – coming from a wide range of countries. For additional information on attending the 2016 Volleyball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, contact the International Volleyball Hall of Fame at info@volleyhall.org or visit the Hall’s website at VolleyHall.org.
Nikola Grbic (SERBIA) – MALE INDOOR PLAYER
Nikola Grbic, a four-time Olympian, earned gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games as he set Yugoslavia to the title after leading the team to a bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. He also played in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with Serbia and Montenegro, and Serbia, respectively. Grbic captured the 1998 FIVB World Championship silver medal and later won Best Setter at the 2010 FIVB World Championship as Serbia won the bronze medal. He was selected Best Setter at the 2003 FIVB World Cup after leading his team to the bronze medal. Grbic earned five silver medals and two bronze medals in FIVB World League competitions, including Best Setter in the 2009 event. He was tabbed Best Setter three times in the European Championship (2001, 2003, 2005). Grbic had a long career playing in the Italian Serie A from 1994 to 2013, claiming eight titles along the way.
MISTY MAY-TREANOR (UNITED STATES) – FEMALE BEACH PLAYER
Misty May-Treanor, a four-time beach Olympian, partnered with Kerri Walsh Jennings on the beach starting in 2003 to become the first players to win three Olympic Games beach volleyball gold medals in 2004, 2008 and 2012. She won three straight FIVB World Championships titles in 2003, 2005 and 2007, while narrowly missing a fourth title in 2011 as she came away with silver. May-Treanor was equally adept at offense and defense on the sand as she won the FIVB Offensive Player of the Year three times (2005, 2007, 2008) and FIVB Defensive Player of Year twice (2007, 2008). She won 112 titles in her domestic and international career that netted $2.1 million in earnings. May-Treanor was named FIVB Sportsperson of the Year in back-to-back years in 2007 and 2008. She partnered with Holly McPeak early in her career as they played in the 2000 Sydney Games. May-Treanor was an elite indoor player as well, having served as the starting setter on Long Beach State University’s undefeated NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship team before electing to play beach.
MAN-BOK PARK (KOREA) – COACH
Man-Bok Park was appointed the Peruvian Women’s Team head coach in 1974 after the squad failed to qualify for the 1972 Olympic Games. He preceded to direct Peru to four Olympic Games appearances highlighted by winning silver at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games in his native South Korea. Park also guided Peru to a sixth-place finish at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, fourth place at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and 11th place the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Under his tutelage, Peru earned silver at the 1982 FIVB World Championship and bronze at the 1986 FIVB World Championship, along with silver at the 1986 Goodwill Games. Park led Peru to four medals at the Pan American Games, including silver in 1979 and 1987, and bronze in 1983 and 1991. Peru captured the South American Championship seven times (1977, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1993) with Park at the helm. Among the talent Park coached included International Volleyball Hall of Fame inductees Gabriela Perez Del Solar (2010) and Cecilia Tait (2005).
EMANUEL REGO (BRAZIL) – MALE BEACH PLAYER
Emanuel Rego is the only male to have competed in the first five Olympic Games featuring beach volleyball and has three medals to show for his successes. He won gold at the 2004 Athens Games with Ricardo Santos, followed by bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with Ricardo and silver at the 2012 London Games with Alison Cerutti. Emanuel’s first two Olympic Games finished with ninth-place finishes. Emanuel had success at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships as he claimed gold three times – 1999 in Marseille, 2003 in his home country of Brazil at Rio de Janeiro and in 2011 at Rome. Emanuel’s status among the elite beach players lasted well over a decade as he ranked first in FIVB season points in 10 seasons with five different partners. He was part of four FIVB Team of the Year partnerships – three times with Ricardo (2005-2007) and once with Alison (2011). The FIVB honored Emanuel with its Sportsperson of the Year five times (2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014) and Most Outstanding Player twice (2006, 2011). He also played four seasons on the United States’ AVP Tour, including AVP Rookie of the Year in 1998 with four times and nine podium finishes. Overall, he won 86 beach titles and 108 podium finishes.
DANIELLE SCOTT-ARRUDA (UNITED STATES) – FEMALE INDOOR PLAYER
Danielle Scott-Arruda is the only five-time U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball team player. She earned back-to-back silver medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2012 London Olympic Games. Scott-Arruda, who retired with over 400 international roster appearances, played in her first Olympic Games at age 24 at the 1996 Atlanta Games, followed by the 2000 Sydney Games and the 2004 Athens Games. She earned Best Blocker at the 2002 FIVB World Championship as Team USA won the silver medal. Scott-Arruda paced the Americans to six FIVB World Grand Prix medals, including gold in 2001, 2010, 2011 and 2012, and bronze in 2003 and 2004. She was named most valuable player at the 2001 FIVB World Grand Prix, as well as Best Scorer and Best Blocker at the 2001 FIVB World Grand Prix. Scott brought home silver from the 2011 FIVB World Cup, as well as bronze medals in the 2003 and 2007 editions. Prior to her international and national team careers, Scott-Arruda was a three-time American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American at Long Beach State University, including winning Player of the Year and NCAA title in 1993.