flo hyman's induction - university of houston's "Hall of Honor", speech by Ruth N. Nelson
Nelson former friend, teammate and coach at the University of Houston.
Award presented to Barbara Bedford on Flo’s behalf.
I feel privileged and honored to have been asked to present the first female athlete inducted into the University of Houston’s “Hall of Honor”.
Flo Hyman’s records speak for themselves. What I want to do tonight is give you a glimpse of what others thought of Flo, and, in so doing, enable you to better know this remarkable young woman.
Flo touched so many lives in so many different ways. Flo’s Olympic teammates felt that she was the one person on the team who trained the longest; she was the most dedicated player. Flo stood up for what she believed. She was so goal oriented, not only to be the best personally, but to be the best as a team! One said that Flo belonged to the the Whole Team...she belonged to everybody.
Debbie Sokol, a former Cougar teammate, stated, “Our sport of volleyball has been unquestionably fortunate to have experienced Flo’s dynamic presence. Her perseverance and dedication will undoubtedly live on in all our minds.”
In describing Flo, notable individuals in the sport of volleyball and athletics have said many things. Al Monaco, former USA Volleyball Executive Director, said that she was a great ambassador domestically and internationally for amateur sports and especially volleyball.
Bob Lindsay, USA Volleyball Board Member, remarked that perhaps the one person in America who you could credit the rise of women’s volleyball WAS Flo Hyman.
George Miller, Secretary General US Olympic Committee, stated, “She was the finest female volleyball player in the world.”
Carol Mann, Former President of the Women’s Sports Foundation and LPGA Hall of Fame Member, said,” Flo’s incredible achievements and the quality of her life were very significant to the movement of sports opportunities for young women.”
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder of Special Olympics, praised “Flo’s dedication and commitment to the ‘Spirit of Sport’ both on and off the court; she was and continues to be an inspiration to all of us, worldwide.”
Coaches talked about Flo in what she did for others:
Mr. Yoneida, Head Coach of Daiei’s Japanese Team, said, “Hyman was the mainstay of our team; she is a legend in our country.”
Dr. Arie Selinger, Head Coach of the 1984 Olympic Volleyball Team, said, “She was so simple, so innocent, but yet so loving. When someone on the team needed someone, Flo was always there.”
Dr. Sue Garrison, Women’s Athletics University of Houston and one of the University of Houston’s other honorees with Flo, commented, “Flo was a very talented young lady, and she spent more time helping others in practice than helping herself.”
Flo’s family summarized it well when they described her as “happy, giving, self confident and articulate, outgoing and eloquent, strong and expressive, but most of all, a truly fine lady who cared for all and dedicated her life to what she believed in.”
I was fortunate to know Flo in several different ways: as a teammate, as a friend, as a coach and as someone who was like a sister. Knowing Flo in these ways, I understand and agree with the thoughts of others that I previously shared!
If I had to pick one word that best describes Flo Hyman, the word would be “inspirational”! Flo was an inspiration to her teammates, an inspiration to her coaches, an inspiration to everyone who came in contact with her, and especially an inspiration to ME.
I knew Flo for over 13 years, and she loved having the last word. Perhaps, some of these final words should be Flo’s. She once said to me, “When people tell me that I am ‘the best female volleyball player in the world,’ I just ignore them!” But she looked at me and said, “Ruth, if I’m the best, how come I have to practice?” However, Flo obviously DID PRACTICE!
At this time, I would like to present for induction into the Hall of Honor FLO HYMAN, one of the acknowledged best female volleyball players in the word and a person who has inspired everyone who knew her. Accepting this honor on Flo’s behalf is her sister Barbara “Bobbie” Bedford.
Award presented to Barbara Bedford on Flo’s behalf.
I feel privileged and honored to have been asked to present the first female athlete inducted into the University of Houston’s “Hall of Honor”.
Flo Hyman’s records speak for themselves. What I want to do tonight is give you a glimpse of what others thought of Flo, and, in so doing, enable you to better know this remarkable young woman.
Flo touched so many lives in so many different ways. Flo’s Olympic teammates felt that she was the one person on the team who trained the longest; she was the most dedicated player. Flo stood up for what she believed. She was so goal oriented, not only to be the best personally, but to be the best as a team! One said that Flo belonged to the the Whole Team...she belonged to everybody.
Debbie Sokol, a former Cougar teammate, stated, “Our sport of volleyball has been unquestionably fortunate to have experienced Flo’s dynamic presence. Her perseverance and dedication will undoubtedly live on in all our minds.”
In describing Flo, notable individuals in the sport of volleyball and athletics have said many things. Al Monaco, former USA Volleyball Executive Director, said that she was a great ambassador domestically and internationally for amateur sports and especially volleyball.
Bob Lindsay, USA Volleyball Board Member, remarked that perhaps the one person in America who you could credit the rise of women’s volleyball WAS Flo Hyman.
George Miller, Secretary General US Olympic Committee, stated, “She was the finest female volleyball player in the world.”
Carol Mann, Former President of the Women’s Sports Foundation and LPGA Hall of Fame Member, said,” Flo’s incredible achievements and the quality of her life were very significant to the movement of sports opportunities for young women.”
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder of Special Olympics, praised “Flo’s dedication and commitment to the ‘Spirit of Sport’ both on and off the court; she was and continues to be an inspiration to all of us, worldwide.”
Coaches talked about Flo in what she did for others:
Mr. Yoneida, Head Coach of Daiei’s Japanese Team, said, “Hyman was the mainstay of our team; she is a legend in our country.”
Dr. Arie Selinger, Head Coach of the 1984 Olympic Volleyball Team, said, “She was so simple, so innocent, but yet so loving. When someone on the team needed someone, Flo was always there.”
Dr. Sue Garrison, Women’s Athletics University of Houston and one of the University of Houston’s other honorees with Flo, commented, “Flo was a very talented young lady, and she spent more time helping others in practice than helping herself.”
Flo’s family summarized it well when they described her as “happy, giving, self confident and articulate, outgoing and eloquent, strong and expressive, but most of all, a truly fine lady who cared for all and dedicated her life to what she believed in.”
I was fortunate to know Flo in several different ways: as a teammate, as a friend, as a coach and as someone who was like a sister. Knowing Flo in these ways, I understand and agree with the thoughts of others that I previously shared!
If I had to pick one word that best describes Flo Hyman, the word would be “inspirational”! Flo was an inspiration to her teammates, an inspiration to her coaches, an inspiration to everyone who came in contact with her, and especially an inspiration to ME.
I knew Flo for over 13 years, and she loved having the last word. Perhaps, some of these final words should be Flo’s. She once said to me, “When people tell me that I am ‘the best female volleyball player in the world,’ I just ignore them!” But she looked at me and said, “Ruth, if I’m the best, how come I have to practice?” However, Flo obviously DID PRACTICE!
At this time, I would like to present for induction into the Hall of Honor FLO HYMAN, one of the acknowledged best female volleyball players in the word and a person who has inspired everyone who knew her. Accepting this honor on Flo’s behalf is her sister Barbara “Bobbie” Bedford.
Barbara Bedford, Flo's sister holding replica presented by Ruth N. Nelson to aspiring young players.
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Friends, family and love ones continue to visit Flo's resting place leaving flowers of beauty.
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September 19, 1998, "Hall of Honor" Induction of Flo Hyman Speech by Ruth N. Nelson former friend,
teammate and coach at the University of Houston 1973-1981
teammate and coach at the University of Houston 1973-1981
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In 1985, Flo Hyman appeared in a film entitled Order of the Black Eagle, in which she portrayed a knife-wielding mercenary named Spike.[7]