COLUMBUS, Ohio / FRISCO, Texas – Pro Volleyball Federation, the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America, has announced the addition of Indianapolis as the 10th market for the League. The team will begin competition during the 2025 season.
Indiana has become nationally known as a volleyball hotbed, with more than 4,300 high school players taking the courts throughout the state. It is one of the most popular female sports in Indiana and MaxPreps recently rated the state as one of the top five states in the United States for volleyball. More than 3,500 girls play club volleyball in the greater Indianapolis area.
“We are thrilled that Indianapolis is the next market to join REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL,” boasted Patrick Talty, President of Indiana Sports Corp. “Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in our state and this is a fantastic opportunity to continue growing the sport. We are excited to welcome athletes and fans across the country to experience everything Indianapolis has to offer.”
Indiana is also prominent in the sport of volleyball within the collegiate ranks, boasting a total of 56 college programs at all levels of college athletics. Over 150 Indiana girls’ volleyball coaches have gone on to coach college squads throughout the nation, including two (Craig Skinner, University of Kentucky; Kelly Sheffield, University of Wisconsin) that have recently won NCAA Championships.
Jim Schumacher and Don Hutchinson are the founding owners for Indianapolis Pro Volleyball. Schumacher is currently a principal with GRE Capital, an Indianapolis-based private equity firm. He and his wife Amy are parents to two volleyball-playing daughters.
Hutchinson is a principal at Goelzer Investment Management and heads the Institutional Advisory Group. He has held various leadership roles and been active in the central Indiana business community over the past 30 years. He has also been involved with volleyball for over 25 years as both a player and as a coach.
“Jim and Don bring passion for the sport, and we have been impressed with their commitment to the success of the mission and vision of Pro Volleyball Federation from the first day we spoke with them,” touted Dave Whinham, co-founder of Pro Volleyball Federation.” “We know the people of Indianapolis will embrace our League and our world-class athletes and could not be prouder to welcome Indianapolis to REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL.”
The Indianapolis team will be making announcements soon related to its name and logo, executive staff, coaching staff and playing venue.
Pro Volleyball Federation will begin play in January 2024 with seven teams each playing 24 matches, 12 at home and 12 on the road. The season will culminate in mid-May with a four-team championship weekend encompassing two semifinal matches before the title contest. Indianapolis joins Dallas and Kansas City as teams that have begun operations in preparation for the 2025 season.
Pro Volleyball Federation has signed a number of America’s greatest volleyball players to compete in the League during the 2024 campaign. Additionally, the League has attracted numerous national team players from countries around the world. Coaches in the League include some of the top veteran and up-and-coming United States college coaches, as well as those with successful careers in the international game.
ABOUT PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION
Pro Volleyball Federation is REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL and the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. Pro Volleyball Federation will begin play in January 2024 with world class players and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players and elite players from around the world. Our entire focus is on ensuring that our level and quality of play, our treatment of players, the quality of our event presentations, and our day-to-day fan experience is world class and the very best offered in North America. For more information, visit ProVolleyball.com.