Honorees

Spalding Sports Worldwide

William G. Morgan Award 1995

Spalding Sports Worldwide, founded in 1876 by Boston Red Stockings pitcher Albert G. Spalding grew from a small sporting goods emporium into a worldwide manufacturer. Spurring its rise was the dedication, drive and love of sports displayed by its founder. A.G. Spalding started his career in sports at age seventeen with the Boston Red Stockings and pitched the team to victory in the 1872-73-74 and 75 National Professional Association finals.

Spalding has always prided itself in an impressive list of firsts: from the creation of the first Major League baseball in 1876 and the world's first basketball in 1894 to the first American-made golf ball in 1898. However, there are two "firsts" in which Spalding takes special pride: the creation of the world's first volleyball in 1895 and the development of the #1 rated volleyball on the beach, the Top-Flite 18.

From a little known sport in 1895, volleyball has grown into a fast-paced game, which has risen to a level of competition rivaling the most popular team sports in the world. Spalding has been part of that rise, contributing with not only the creation of the first volleyball, but with the publishing of the Official Volleyball Rules handbook (1916), constant improvements to the volleyball and sponsorships designed to develop the growth of volleyball.

Spalding Sports Worldwide is currently the official ball of the Aissociation of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) and is a sponsor of the Amateur Volleyball Association (AVA), numerous college programs and top volleyball athletes like Nancy Reno and Adam Johnson. The Company has also recently joined the Volleyball Hall of Fame in Volleyball's 100th year anniversary celebration by creating a limited edition Centennial volleyball.

One hundred years after William Morgan asked A.G. Spalding and Brothers to create the world's first volleyball, Spalding Sports Worldwide continues its unwavering support of the sport and is dedicated to continuing that support in the century to come.

The Volleyball Hall of Fame is proud to recognized Spalding Sports Worldwide as it's 1995 William G. Morgan Award winner.