VolleyThon History

When I became a youth pastor in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin back in 1981, our church went yearly to a volleyball tournament in Milwaukee. The teens looked forward to, and practiced for it all year. I developed a love for the game and an appreciation for it s potential as a tool for evangelism and fellowship. Upon moving to the Detroit area in 1986 we discovered that there was no such tournament in Michigan. The youth association we were a part of asked me to organize one and the Volleython was born. Since then it has moved to Onaway, MI., Brooklyn, MI., and now in the Rockford area. Since 2002 it has been run under the auspices of the Victory Association Teens.
This will be the 8th year in this area.

In 2002 we had 8 teams on 3 courts at the Memorial Baptist in Rockford.
In 2003 we had 18 teams on 5 courts at Prairie Hill in Roscoe.
In 2004 we had 32 teams on 16 courts at the Honnenegah dome.
In 2005 we had 30 teams on 16 courts.
In 2006 we had 37 teams on 16 courts.
In 2007 we had 36 teams on 18 courts.
In 2008 we had 32 teams on 16 courts.
In 2009 we had 40 teams on 18 courts.

Over the years we have seen souls saved and lives strengthened, youth groups have been unified and youth workers have had wonderful bonding experiences with their teens. Friendships have been forged and lessons have been learned.