Volley for a cure raises awareness—and $1,200

Although he has been dead half a century, William G. Morgan would have no doubt enjoyed the Mintonette played at Cook County High School on Monday, October 7.

How could he not?

Pink was the color of choice for most who raised their voices in laughter and cheered on Monday, October 7 when about 200 people gathered to watch or participate in volleyball and raise money to help in the fight to find a cure for cancer.

“We had a really good turnout,” said event organizer Kelly Roberts.

Raucous games were played between junior high and junior varsity squads and between parents and the varsity. All of the contests were held in good fun.

Although not all of the proceeds have come in, so far about $1,200 was raised through donations from the public or gifts from businesses, said Roberts.

One of the highlights was the raffling of blankets made by the 7th grade volleyball team.

“That was really special,” Roberts said.

Head Varsity Coach Pam Taylor, a cancer survivor who is back teaching and coaching after taking a hiatus last spring, was also in attendance, as were several other cancer survivors. Each survivor was a reminder of how well the fight against cancer has progressed. Each pink ribbon honoring those deceased from cancer was a reminder of how much more work there is still to do.

“I would like to thank all of the businesses and individuals and parents who helped out or contributed to this cause,” said Roberts, who lost her mother to cancer some years ago.

All of the proceeds will be donated to the North Shore Health Care Foundation.

As for Morgan, a YMCA employee in Holyoke, Massachusetts in the 1890s, he invented volleyball four years after his colleague James Naismith invented basketball. At first Morgan named it Mintonette, but after some people told him it looked like players were “volleying” the ball back and forth, he renamed it volleyball.

Morgan died in 1942, but he would have no doubt been proud that his game is now only second in participation to soccer worldwide, and in some cases, played for more than sport, joy and recreation, but also played for a worthy purpose.