Category: International Volleyball Association

Southern California Bangers

August 3, 2012

The Southern California Bangers were a One-Year Wonder in the co-ed International Volleyball Association (IVA) during the summer of 1975. Basketball superstar Wilt Chamberlain was an early investor in the IVA and owned the Bangers franchise during the league’s debut season.  Chamberlain was a terrific volleyball player himself and suited up to play occasionally for the Bangers during the summer of 1975. The team played their home matches at UC-Irvine’s Crawford Hall and disbanded after a 6-18 season in 1975.

Read More »
Jerrie McGahan on the cover of a 1980 Denver Comets program from the International Volleyball Association

Denver Comets

April 9, 2011

The co-ed International Volleyball Association launched in 1975, seeking to capitalize on the popularity of volleyball at the 1972 Munich Olympics.  The 1970’s saw an explosion of team sports concepts – from World Team Tennis to indoor soccer – all seeking to establish themselves as the sport of the future and challenge the NBA and NHL for space on the cover of Sports Illustrated.  The hijinks of the Denver Comets front office, however, seemed better suited for the pages of High Times.

Read More »