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William G. Morgan | |
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Born | William George Morgan January 23, 1870 Lockport, New York, U.S. |
Died | December 27, 1942 Lockport, New York, U.S. | (aged 72)
Alma mater | Springfield College |
Occupation | Educator |
Known for | Inventor of volleyball |
Spouse | Mary King Caldwell (divorced) |
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William George Morgan (January 23, 1870 – December 27, 1942) was the inventor of volleyball, originally called "Mintonette", a name derived from the game of badminton which he later agreed to change to better reflect the nature of the sport.[1] He was born in Lockport, New York, U.S.[2]
He met James Naismith, inventor of basketball, while Morgan was studying at Springfield College in 1892. Like Naismith, Morgan pursued a career in Physical Education at the YMCA. Influenced by Naismith and basketball, in 1895, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Morgan invented "Mintonette" a less vigorous team sport more suitable for older members of the YMCA but one that still required athletic skill.[3] Later Alfred S. Halstead watched it being played and renamed it "Volleyball".
In 1985, he was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame as the inaugural member.[4]
Putting his mind to the challenge, Morgan examined the rules of sports such as baseball, basketball, handball and badminton. Taking pieces from each, he created a game he called "Tite", deriving the name from badminton