About Inductee

Gloria Birmingham began her coaching career in 1970 at Harvest Junior High School in Harvest Alabama. She became the head volleyball coach at Grissom High School in 1972, and remained in that role until she retired in 1995. While at Grissom, her teams compiled a record of 848 wins versus 211 losses making her the 6th winningest coach in high school girls volleyball as listed in the 1996-1997 National High School Sports Record Book. Coach Birmingham was named City Coach of the Year nine times and her teams won 17 City Championships. Coach Birmingham led the Grissom volleyball team to 13 consecutive State Volleyball Tournament Final Four Appearances and won State Championships in 1988, 1989, 1991 and 1992. She was named the 6A State Coach of the year in 1989. Her team in 1989 team compiled a record of 57-0 on the way to winning the State Title and rankings of 20th Nationally by USA Today and 25th Nationally by Mizuno Sports.