University of Houston volleyball legend Flora “Flo” Hyman was inducted posthumously into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame in July as part of the class of 2025.

Hyman, who’s often credited with the rise of women’s volleyball in the United States, was the first female scholarship athlete in University of Houston Athletics history. She led the Cougars to two top 5 finishes in the 1970s while winning the 1976 Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women National Player of the Year title and the 1977 Broderick Award.

Hyman also guided the United States to its first Olympic volleyball medal in 1984. Although Hyman was part of the 1980 Olympic team, a U.S. boycott of the Moscow games kept her from competing. Outside of the Olympics, Hyman helped U.S. teams win a silver medal at the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas, Venuzuela, and a bronze medal at the 1982 World Championships in Peru.

The honor came nearly 40 years after Hyman’s shocking, unexpected death. On Jan. 24, 1986, 31-year-old Hyman collapsed and later died after subbing out of a match in Matsue, Japan. Initially, her cause of death was thought to be a heart attack, but an autopsy later determined it was a ruptured aorta due to Marfan syndrome, a genetic connective tissue disorder. Hyman’s sudden death brought much-needed awareness to the rare disorder — and saved her brother Michael’s life.

Ruth Nelson, Hyman’s teammate, coach and friend, gave an acceptance speech on her behalf at the Team USA Hall of Fame ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colorado, sharing stories of the determined, charismatic athlete.

“Flo was more than a teammate; she was a force of nature, a leader who stood for justice, a teammate who believed in unity and someone who made everyone feel like they belonged,” Nelson said. “Her Olympic teammates often said, ‘Flo didn’t just play for us; she played for everybody.’”

Nelson described the 6-foot-5 Hyman as an “athlete, advocate, icon and friend” who “cared deeply and lived passionately.”

Hyman decided to pursue a professional volleyball career in Japan after the 1984 Olympics. While abroad, she noticed that other countries gave women’s sports more notoriety and respect.

Never one to back down, Hyman often returned home to advocate for increased opportunities for female athletes. She also joined forces with civil rights leader Coretta Scott King and astronaut Sally Ride to lobby for the Civil Rights Restoration Act and strengthen Title IX legislation.

Hyman was one of 12 inductees in a class that included powerhouse athletes such as fellow Olympians Gabby Douglas, Allyson Felix and Serena Williams.

Each year, the University recognizes Hyman’s legacy through the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup. Houston Volleyball also recently honored Hyman by retiring her jersey prior to their match against Arizona on Sunday, Oct. 19 at the Fertitta Center, where the jersey is now displayed.