International Volleyball Association (1975)
Tombstone
Born: 1975 – IVA founding franchise
Folded:
First Game: June 3, 1975 (W 9-12, 12-9, 12-10 & 12-10 vs. El Paso-Juarez Sol)
Last Game:
IVA Championships: None
Arena
Crawford Hall at UC-Irvine
Marketing
Team Colors:
Ownership
Owner: Wilt Chamberlain
Background
The Southern California Bangers were a One-Year Wonder in the co-ed International Volleyball Association (IVA) during the summer of 1975. The IVA was one of two attempts to establish a major professional co-ed sports league during the 1970’s, with World Team Tennis being the other.
Noted co-ed sports aficionado Wilt Chamberlain was an early investor in the IVA and owned the Bangers franchise during the league’s debut season. The 39-year old retired basketball legend was also a terrific volleyball player and he suited up to play occasionally for the Bangers during the summer of 1975.
An announced crowd of just 728 showed up UC-Irvine’s Crawford Hall for the Bangers’ debut match on June 3, 1975. The Bangers also struggled on the court, finishing the season with 6 wins and 18 losses. They were the only club out of the IVA’s founding five teams not to return for the circuit’s second season in 1976. Chamberlain became President of the IVA in 1977 and continued to play sporadically for various IVA clubs throughout the late 1970’s.
Links
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2 Responses
Did you know Wilt Chanberlain owned a coed volleyball team called the Southern California Bangers? http://t.co/BfeJX0D7 Thanks @AMCrossley!
Did Bill Levy own the Santa Barbara Spikers at one time? I thought he married one of the woman players. Melody???
I’d appreciate to know what years he was involved. I have a new S.B. Spikers jacket from that era.