Kerri Walsh Jennings, others to be honored at Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame ceremony – Daily Breeze

Kerri Walsh Jennings, one of the most decorated beach volleyball players of all time, will be among those who will be celebrated at the Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 2, in Hermosa Beach.

The ceremony, hosted by the California Beach Volleyball Association, will also pay tribute to 1994 inductee Jim Menges, a beach volleyball star from the 1970s and the early ’80s, and will honor former CBVA President and tournament director Phil Stutzel.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. at the Hermosa Beach Museum — which is the home of the Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame — and the adjacent Hermosa Beach Community Theatre. After a social hour at the museum, 710 Pier Ave., there will be a question-and-answer session featuring four beach volleyball legends from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Community Theatre. The induction ceremony, also at the theater, will begin at 7 p.m.

“I think part of this recognition is acknowledging that I’ve participated in the growth of the sport, which makes me so happy, and it’s been an honor,” said Jennings this week by phone. “I’m just really excited to be around people who I miss. You know, one of the saddest things about retirement is that you move away from your best friends.”

Jennings will be introduced by husband and beach volleyball star Casey Jennings — and will be reunited with Hall-of-Famer Misty May-Treanor.

With 104 victories, May-Treanor and Jennings combined for the second most wins in beach volleyball history, only behind Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos, who had 114, according to the Hall of Fame website.

Jennings, a Santa Clara native, had a stellar collegiate career at Stanford University before embarking on a 20-year pro career that featured 135 victories and $2.6 million in purses, including seven Manhattan Beach Opens, according to the Hall of Fame website.

Jennings and May-Treanor also won gold medals during the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics, as well as a bronze medal in 2016.

Jennings said she is in the “fog of transition” following her retirement last year.

“I asked God to make it as clear as possible,” Jennings said about her retirement. “I had ankle surgery, and I was expecting to heal quickly, and it’s still healing. It’s been a year and a half, so God made it very clear.”

In 2018, Jennings and her husband founded Platform 1440, a nonprofit that inspires “those impacted by beach volleyball to live life to its fullest, and to provide our communities with opportunities for personal development and growth,” according to its website.

Jennings also said she is big supporter of the CBVA.

“A lot of amazing, big, beautiful, bold dreams were launched at the CBVA,” Jennings said. “I think it’s an important institution in our sport and I’m grateful, and I’m honored and I can’t wait to celebrate.”

During his 10-year career, meanwhile, Menges and his partners won 48 tournaments, including the Manhattan Beach Open five times. He retired in 1983.

The May-Treanor Foundation’s second annual Barbara May Scholarship Award will also be handed out to “help up-and-coming athletes in pursuing their dreams,” according to Hall of Fame website.

This year’s scholarship will be awarded to 2024 Cal Cup Champions Addison Williams and Arelie Hershberg, for the 18 and under girls; and Johnny Dykstra and Christian Connell, for the 18 and under boys.

Around 100 beach volleyball legends have been inducted since the first CBVA Hall of Fame ceremony took place in 1992.

For tickets and other information, visit bvbhof.com.