Volleyball Hall of Fame hosts Morgan Classic

Volleyball Hall of Fame hosts Morgan Classic Clinics
at Springfield College - February 22-23

Players’ and Coaches’ Clinics offered - February 23

HOLYOKE, Mass. --- Winter heats up fast in New England
when the Volleyball Hall of Fame hosts the sizzling
play of top collegiate Division I-II men’s teams. The
21st annual Volleyball Hall of Fame Morgan Classic,
presented by PeoplesBank, will be held at Blake Arena
on the campus of Springfield College on Friday and
Saturday February 22 -23.

The Classic, featuring four championship caliber in
2008 men’s collegiate teams, pits George Mason
University versus Indiana Purdue/Fort Wayne and the
University of Southern California versus Springfield
starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 22 at
Springfield’s Blake Arena. The action resumes on
Saturday, February 23 with the consolation match at 6
p.m. and the championship match at 8.

“We are very excited to once again join forces with
the Volleyball Hall of Fame and host this wonderful
tournament,” says the Springfield Director of
Athletics, Cathie Schweitzer. “The tournament has
become a staple of Springfield College tradition, and
we have a number of faculty and students who look
forward to the Morgan Classic every winter."

Another terrific tradition continues along with the
Morgan Classic. The Volleyball Hall of Fame’s Clinic
Series will once again host players’ and coaches
clinics on Feb. 23. This rare opportunity presents a
unique approach to teaching the art of volleyball.
Players will be grouped by ability level to learn the
newest innovations by top active players and coaches.
Men and women and age groups from 13-and-up are
invited to participate. Attendees will have the
opportunity to learn skills from knowledgeable and
talented players and coaches from all four teams. The
fee for each clinic is $50 per person and includes one
ticket to Saturday evening’s matches.

Coaches and those who are considering coaching will
learn from Charlie Sullivan, one of America’s top
coaches and strategists.

“These clinics are highly regarded for their
active-player format, and folks travel from as far as
Pennsylvania and Maine to attend. We suggest that
people sign up early as these clinics sellout every
year,” says Sullivan, Springfield College men's head
coach.

For information on the tourney and the clinics, call
the Volleyball Hall of Fame at (413) 536-0926, or
checkout the official website, www.volleyhall. org.

Tickets for the celebrated tournament are only $5 for
adults and $3 for youth and students. This remains one
of the greatest deals you will find this winter for
any type of sporting event. Host Springfield College
is currently ranked first in NCAA division III Men’s
Volleyball, and looks to prove its supremacy over
three teams currently ranked twelfth or better in
Division I standings.

“This is an amazing slate of top-notch men’s
volleyball teams,”says Vin Olinski, president of the
Hall of Fame. “With the low admission fee, it is a
perfect opportunity for all sports fans to bring their
families to check out the best men’s volleyball action
on the east coast.

The Morgan Classic is sponsored in part by:
PeoplesBank, USA Volleyball and Regions, The City of
Holyoke, Mass Sports Partnership, the AVP, Springfield
College, Holyoke Medical Center, Holyoke Gas &
Electric, MassLive, Clear Channel Radio, CBS-TV3, WVEI
and Meyers Brothers Kalicka, PC.

###

The Volleyball Hall of Fame, incorporated in 1978, is
a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of
volleyball worldwide and to honoring and preserving
the history of the great men and women of the sport.
Volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan at the
Holyoke YMCA in 1895.

Located in Heritage State Park, at 444 Dwight Street,
in Holyoke, the Hall of Fame features an interactive
video kiosk, large panel graphics of the history of
volleyball, the "Walls of Fame," rotating exhibits and
a gift shop featuring official Hall of Fame
merchandise and activewear.

Hours: Tuesdays - Sundays - Noon - 4:30 • Admission
donation: $3.50/$2.50 for children and seniors.